To think that Wimbledon needs to up its game?

[CoffeeCantata]

I love watching Wimbledon and so much about it is excellent but...

The poor Linesmen/women! Those horrible outfits suit absolutely no-one and are totally inappropriate for the job. Whatever their physique, this gear just doesn't seem to fit any of them. Shirts with contrasting collars, ties (for goodness' sake!) and badly-cut trousers. How about a smart polo shirt and either shorts or culottes?

Why do the ball-girls have to wear skirts? Why not shorts like the boys? Seems a bit outmoded.

The umpires' chairs are magnificent structures, affording excellent views and with multiple shelves and all kinds of devices attached - they want for nothing. But the players!! Two miserable plastic chairs?? Why can't they have a specially designed unit featuring a cushioned seat, an integrated, lidded cool-box and shelves for all their stuff? It seems they just have to dump all their stuff around them - very untidy and a bit 'school sports day'.

On the subject of debentures years ago I worked for a nursing agency that catered for wealthy elderly, usually living in decrepit grandeur in flats in smart areas of London which hadn't been done up for thirty years.
I went to a lovely lady who lived near Harrods, she had slipped on the marble floor of the food hall and broken her arm. I cooked lunch for her, made up a bridge four and carried her book and drink to bed for her. A most enjoyable day.

Anyway I also once visited a lady living in a flat in Berkeley Square .

She said to me (put on your poshest voice) "Do you know what my husband gave me for my 50th birthday?"

Me: "NO! What did your husband give you for your 50th birthday??"

Her: "A debenture for Wimbledon!! Wasn't that lovely!"

I confess I have forever felt deprived that no one has given me a debenture for Wimbledon. Any birthday would do. Or even Christmas!

As for the linesman uniforms I mutter darkly every time I see them. Why didn't Wimbledon give the contract to a British designer? Ralph Lauren got it in 2006 and I have hated them ever since. The latest are dreadful. So badly cut , they don't fit anyone whatever their shape. The white skirts are a horror. The trousers crease dreadfully. I wonder if Wimbledon launders them or if they take them home to launder and iron themselves?

And I hate that the polo logo is massive and prominent. Surely it should be a very small discreet logo as per his usual shirts etc. I'm surprised Wimbledon approve it.

Before Ralph Lauren, the design was classic and very smart.

And protected parkland that helps to keep air clean for “us locals”. Not to mention a decade of heavy plant construction traffic. You won’t have access to the redeveloped version either, except a few scrubby corners around their massive maintenance buildings which will be blocked off for weeks either side of the championships.

Educate yourself: www.savewimbledonpark.org

I'm very well educated about the whole issue and don't need propaganda from the usual nimbys, thanks very much.

Most teenage girls love short skirts (in fact they roll their school skirts to make them shorter). My daughter plays tennis and loves her tennis skirts.

Not everyone wants to look like a boy.

You understand it starts off as pristine and becomes bare as the players actually play on it? There are no, "patches of mud" just a bit of scuffed grass where the players feet move. If you have no interest, don't watch it by "accident" in the pub.

why does it need to change

to be involved in Wimbledon is a great honour. I’m still not quite over not getting passed the rounds to be a ballgirl 😭😭😭 a few from my school made it

I really don’t think people care what they wear it looks smart and recognisable and people just want to be a part of the most prestigious tennis tournament

Wimbledon is a magical "happy place". My daughter and I have been a number of times through the queue and it's always worth it. 😃 (Also the tickets we get through the queue are amazing - really close to the court). Have we just been lucky or do they keep some of the best seats for the queue? My daughter got pictures with players and her ball signed 🎾. It's such a lovely place.

It doesn't need to change.
It's very successful as it is.

Yes I agree a day at Wimbledon is really special

Its a great atmosphere

I think sometimes people look at events with tradition and think "it would be better if it was modern" without really thinking it through.

Anyone can glance at the massive telly in the pub and make an innocent comment on the subject. The anger raised on this thread by people put out that I commented on the state of the grass is bewildering. Talk about hallowed turf.

Also - read the thread...the discussion went on.

The uniforms worn by Wimbledon umpires/lines people are frightful.
Hot, ill fitting, ghastly designs, totally inappropriate for the job they do.

Please design well fitting cool comfortable clothes for the lines men and women.
And srnd some of them on a diet begore!