Column: New contender but same old Wimbledon

Federer remains a big threat for every title contender at the Wimbledon for over a decade.

The All England Club tournament is the same old Wimbledon, nothing seems to have changed much, at least not in the last decade and a half.
The other day my friend from Oman, a tennis fanatic, inquired about a common sight that he has been seeing for years while not missing any Wimbledon action on television. He wanted to know the identity of a suited old spectator with a goatee and Stetso Hat.
For almost 15 years, this spectator sits on seat number seven in a corner of the players' box for most Centre Court matches. There has been no change in his position like the All England Club's stand on not changing its surface from grass to hardcourts and continue to serve the strawberries with cream. His name is David Spearing. Neither has he changed his seat nor his style. The 75-year-old Wimbledon fan was once quoted in the media, saying that he will leave that box when time comes for him to go into another BOX.
Except for two-weeks at the Wimbledon, Spearing spends most the year in the UAE, where he has been running a Structural Engineering firm in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
Another UAE resident is also a constant feature at the Wimbledon tournament for close to a decade and a half. Like Spearing, Roger Federer, who owns a house in Dubai, has not missed a single Wimbledon event since 1999. And, like his seven Dubai Open titles, FedEx has also won seven titles in his 16 appearances so far at this tournament, which was first held in 1877.
He has won and lost but Federer remains a big threat for every title contender at the Wimbledon for over a decade. His delectable backhand half volleys are as unchanged and effective as his affable nature.
Serena Williams, who has won five Wimbledon titles, has also been coming to the All England Club since 1998. She is there this time also and from the form and tournament progress, looks set to receive her sixth Wimbledon crown from the Duke of Kent.
Yes, the Royals haven't changed although the tradition of bowing to members of the British Royal Family seated in the Royal Box upon entering or leaving Centre Court has changed. Now they only bow to the Queen or Prince of Wales.
The dark green and purple uniforms for the BBGs (ball boys and girls) remain the same and so is the tradition of whites for the players.
While most things remained the same at Wimbledon, the Centre Court now has a roof and the 'Graveyard of Champions' court was destroyed to be replaced by the current Court 3.
As we watch Serena bid for her sixth title, we may see a familiar setting like the BBGs, high chair of umpire, Rolex electronic scoreboards, celebrities and players' entourages along with the British Royals in the boxes.
But Spain's Garbine Muguruza will be there for the first time to challenge Serena's dominance in the tournament that was first played by six amateurs before shamteurs took over. Now, professionals at the Wimbledon are followed on televisions, tablets, computers and smartphones by about 1.2 billion fans across the world.
sunilvaidya@khaleejtimes.com

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