BBC SPORT | SOL AT WIMBLEDON | Wimbledon: It's just not tennis

By BBC Sport Online's Saj Chowdhury at Wimbledon

The popularity of Wimbledon is clear to see as you wander around the superbly presented sporting complex in deepest South London.

Manicured lawns on the hill lead to a path which takes you to a number of stalls selling champagne and Pimms.

Walking further along, tents on either side are inhabited by men in mock Panama hats and ladies in regalia fit for an Oscars ceremony.

Oh, and there are the courts.

But are Wimbledon's visitors really here for the tennis, or is it the Pimms they are more interested in?

I posed three general knowledge questions to various members of the public, to see how much they knew about tennis:

Who is the current men's number one?
Answer: Gustavo Kuerten

Who is the current holder of the women's French Open title?
Answer: Jennifer Capriati

Who was the last Briton to win a Wimbledon singles title?
Answer: Virginia Wade.

Guesses were generally well educated as regards to the first question, with around 85% answering "Pete Sampras".

The second question left those asked slightly more confused, with replies ranging from "I don't know" to "Monica Seles", although over 50% did guess Capriati.

Answers to the third and final poser brought up another question - does anybody know who Virginia Wade is?

The replies tended to vary from Fred Perry to Fred Perry, even from the people in the Club 18-30 bracket.

So what does this say about the Wimbledon public?
Laura Priestly enjoys her lunch in the Wimbledon grounds
Laura Priestly did not have to queue

In light of the answers given, the vast majority will not get a first from Oxford in tennis.

But to that vast majority, Wimbledon is not all about tennis.

Laura Priestly of London was one of the lucky few who did not have to queue up for tickets.

"My parents are debenture holders [tickets available yearly to members of the club] so I am very, very lucky," she said.

"I think it is an opportunity for everyone and I don't think it's elitist, because as you walk around you see people of all ages from all backgrounds."

Another London local, Hayley Easter, received her tickets through her local tennis club.

She admitted that she was not a regular at Wimbledon.

"I haven't been for 10 years, and it certainly has changed," said Hayley.

"I love the atmosphere of the place and I do follow tennis but not as closely as other people."

Her first visit for 10 years to Wimbledon.
Hayley Easter loves the Wimbledon atmosphere

On the day of the quarter-finals, it was interesting to see that there were a vast number of people who were more interested in getting their dose of strawberries and cream than watching the action.

Someone who was as keen, if not more so, to enjoy both the tennis and the Wimbledon spectacle was Tyson Hopgood from Melbourne.

"I've always followed tennis. I follow it year round," he said.

"I think it can be elitist, but all sport is like that. We've got the Melbourne Cup, and do you honestly think that people who go there know a lot about horse racing?"

Perhaps our young friend from Australia hit the nail on the head as regards to whether lovers of Wimbledon come purely for the tennis.

Wimbledon is like Ascot, the FA Cup final, the Boat Race and events of that ilk.

It is both a festival and a sporting event which brings together people from all walks of life.

And so what if 90% of people think Fred Perry was the last Briton to win Wimbledon?

Wimbledon is not an education - it's just pure entertainment.


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