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Page last updated at 10:47 GMT, Wednesday, 23 June 2010 11:47 UK

Wimbledon referee plays down World Cup distraction

Wimbledon Championships
Venue: All England Club, London Date: 21 June - 4 July
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World Cup will not affect Wimbledon - Jarrett

By Phil Maiden
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Wimbledon referee Andrew Jarrett does not expect the World Cup in South Africa to have a major impact on attendances at this year's event.

Crowds were down by 615 and 2,018 on the first two days compared to 2009, but building work means the club's capacity has been reduced by 2,500.

Jarrett told BBC Sport: "We're a major tennis event. That is our priority.

"I guess a lot of people at home would like to watch their favourite tennis mixed with major matches."

With England facing Slovenia in a crucial group match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Wimbledon organisers have chosen not to show any World Cup matches during their fortnight of tennis.

And Jarrett believes the game, which kicks off at 1500 BST will not affect afternoon crowds.

"We know the match is taking place, it shouldn't cause us too many problems.

"People, inevitably, if there's tennis on, if there's football on, will make their choice."

The Wimbledon referee will face another big event this week with the Queen visiting the All England Club on Thursday for the first time in 33 years.

The last time Her Majesty was at Wimbledon was also the last time Britain had a winner in a singles event, when Virginia Wade claimed the ladies' title in 1977.

But Jarrett does not expect too many headaches.

"I understand she may be meeting a few players," he said. "So we will try and help out a bit with the scheduling of matches."



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Grand slam women singles results
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Wimbledon women's draw
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