Tiger Tim and the ghost of Fred Perry

[swimusa]

With all the fuss the like sof John McEnroe and Pam Shriver are making on American tv about Henman Hill, do you think Tiger Tim has a chance to exorcise the ghost of Fred Perry and become the first British Wimbledon champion in 25 years and the first male British Wimbledon champion in 66 years?

[bobby]

Unfortunately not. He is too inconsistent and the pressure that the press and spectators put on him is too much. Much as I would love him to win, I think it is just a British dream. Is there a lot of hype about Tim in the States as well? What do the Americans really think of Wimbledon as a tournament?

[Bazza]

1. World Cup tournament is in full swing and everyone is under the impression football is the only sport on the planet.

2. It's June 21st and England have just been eliminated from the World Cup. The question on everyone's lips is "Can Henman win Wimbledon?".

The sudden swift of attention from a major sporting event to Wimbledon is always based around 'can he do it this year'? The answer for me is no. In fact I would like to vote for both the 2nd and 3rd option in the poll.

[Kaci]

I was at Wimbledon last week and it was amazing although I did not see any of the real stars. The atmosphere aroung centre court was amazing. Although I did not enjoy having to queue for 3 hours, for 6am onwards but it was worth it.

(Sorry if this post isn't relevent to the thread :rolleyes: )

[violet]

all i can say is go lleyton! :D

[Katie]

Hewitt threw a bit of a tantrum yesterday did he not?? I was a bit worried about him being beaten....!!!! :eek: :D

[violet]

yeah he did but managed to survive.

he's won the first set and the first three games of the second set.

[Katie]

Indeed he did! Never mind Tim, there's always next year!! :( :p :)

[violet]

well lleyton did it - he is the wimbledon mens champion for 2002. :D

[swimusa]

Originally posted by bobby
Unfortunately not. He is too inconsistent and the pressure that the press and spectators put on him is too much. Much as I would love him to win, I think it is just a British dream. Is there a lot of hype about Tim in the States as well? What do the Americans really think of Wimbledon as a tournament?

When Mary Pierce made it to the Roland Garros final in 1994, NBC did a big thing on how she would be the first Frenchwoman since Françoise Durr to win it since 1967, and again when she won it in 2000. Every year, as Henman makes it closer to the finals, they do a big thing on Henman to "exorcise the ghost of Fred Perry" (thank you John McEnroe). They always show the crowds in the stands and on "Henman Hill" as they watch on the Jumbotron. The avid tennis fan in the US hopes Henman will win. We have won our fair share of Grand Slams, so for us to say Henman should not, we'd be selfish. As for Wimbledon as a tournament, it is a novelty. Both the US and Australian Opens started on grass and have moved to hardcourts. Wimbledon is set apart like Roland Garros because it is not played on hard courts. I wish that there was more time between the French and Wimbledon so the Hall of Fame (who's graounds are similar to Wimbledon) could host a bigger tournament as a warmup. But who wants to fly from Paris to Newport to London? It'd make no sense. Wimbledon though is the epitomy of tennis. The prestige is overwhelming.

[Swimmer's ATM]

I'm not a great tennis fan but enjoy Wimbledon every couple of years. All I can say is that John McEroe's work from the commentary box was outstanding - incisive and adding something to the match not just describing it.

He obviously knows when you are wathching something that the quality of what is said is vital - and 'Less is More'.

Have Fun :) :) :)

[swimusa]

I forget he comments for both NBC and the BBC.