Welcome back to Wimbledon: relief for local community as tennis showpiece nears normality


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

When crowds of tennis fans wind their way through the upmarket Wimbledon Village en route to the All England Club, restaurant owner Adrian Mills will be relieved to see them after months of meagre trading near the famous old grounds.

After last year's Wimbledon was cancelled because of the pandemic, players and fans are returning to the London suburb for this year's tournament – in a boost for Mr Mills and his Thai Tho business.

“Last year you couldn’t even think about tennis but we were quite bereft because it just felt bizarre not to have it,” said Mr Mills, 64, chairman of the Wimbledon Village Business Association.

“When the fans are here, it’s phenomenal. It’s a fantastic privilege to have it [the tournament] down the road.”

With fans needing proof of Covid vaccination or a negative test to enter the grounds and players staying in specially approved hotels, Wimbledon 2021 will not quite be a return to full normality.

But organisers hope to fill 50 per cent of seats in the early rounds and are aiming for 100 per cent capacity for the semi-finals and finals.

The tournament starts on June 28, by which time the UK government was due to lift all restrictions on social contact.

This was pushed back four weeks by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson after a surge in cases caused by the Delta variant first identified in India.

Fans are still able to come because Wimbledon is part of a UK government pilot project to test the safety of major events.

For Matthew Swan, a musician who was painting tennis-themed decorations in the window of a pub on Thursday, the delay means he cannot perform in front of packed venues in Wimbledon Village as he would like.

“People are relieved that anything at all is happening,” he said. “It’s 100 per cent better than last year.

“It’s going to be different this year but it’s always a lively atmosphere.”

Gianluca Minozzo, the manager of a delicatessen in Wimbledon Village, is looking forward to the start of the tournament. Mark Chilvers for The National
Gianluca Minozzo, the manager of a delicatessen in Wimbledon Village, is looking forward to the start of the tournament. Mark Chilvers for The National

Ticket scramble

When Wimbledon tickets went on sale on a Thursday lunchtime, eager tennis fans caused an online frenzy with tens of thousands waiting in a virtual queue.

David Smith, one of those on the case, had nine different browsers open on three screens in an effort to improve his chances.

The plan worked, with Mr Smith now gearing up to watch the final – and even getting hold of a spare ticket for his mother. “She’s been a tennis fan her whole life and has never been to a final before. She’ll love it,” he said.

There was no such clamour outside the All England Lawn Tennis Club, as Wimbledon’s hosts are formally known. With all tickets sold online, the gates were deserted except for a handful of security staff and passers-by.

The traditional queue of fans who wait for hours to get inside the grounds will be absent this year because of the pandemic.

There will still be a bit of a buzz and an atmosphere and something for everyone to talk about

But another Wimbledon tradition – watching the action on a big screen from the grassy slope known as Henman Hill – will be revived.

The nickname arose in the 1990s in tribute to British player Tim Henman and the name has stuck despite more recent references to Murray Mound.

"The hill will be open," Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

“We’re still working through the exact detail of how that will work, but very much open and very much part of the championships this year.”

The gates of the Wimbledon grounds were virtually deserted when tickets for the championships went on sale. Mark Chilvers for The National
The gates of the Wimbledon grounds were virtually deserted when tickets for the championships went on sale. Mark Chilvers for The National

Also returning are traffic restrictions in Wimbledon town centre, with cars banned from parking on Church Road – the street from Wimbledon Village to the tennis club – from 8.30am to 11.30pm during the tournament.

Some Wimbledon residents rent out their apartments for the fortnight and take the opportunity for a holiday.

Tennis stars such as Roger Federer and Serena Williams will not be among the tenants, as the players are staying in special accommodation elsewhere.

It means that the players who sometimes come to Mr Mills’s restaurant – because of the healthy offerings on its menu, he believes – are not expected to show up this time. But he is still pleased with the return of fans.

“That is a massive boost economically for Wimbledon Village because it brings people up there who want to be close to the action,” he said.

Local musician Matthew Swan painted a tennis-themed decoration in the window of a pub in Wimbledon. Mark Chilvers for The National
Local musician Matthew Swan painted a tennis-themed decoration in the window of a pub in Wimbledon. Mark Chilvers for The National

'It's an exciting time'

After a tough economic year, Wimbledon’s cafes and restaurants can welcome guests indoors in groups of up to six people or two households.

Many of them have decked out their stores with tennis-themed displays before the tournament begins.

Gianluca Minozzo, 51, is the manager of a delicatessen called Table Vallebona and is aiming to put some of his wares on outdoor tables to attract fans.

The shop has never witnessed a Wimbledon week because it only opened last November.

“It’s an exciting time so we are looking forward to that,” Mr Minozzo said. “I would love to be there in person.”

Alison Filday, a volunteer at a Shelter charity shop in Wimbledon Village, with store manager Joe Tooze. Mark Chilvers for The National
Alison Filday, a volunteer at a Shelter charity shop in Wimbledon Village, with store manager Joe Tooze. Mark Chilvers for The National

At a fitness and physiotherapy centre called Nordic Balance, some clients have come in, appropriately enough, with tennis elbow – and reception manager John Conradi, 29, said there could be more of them in the coming weeks.

Nordic Balance was not there when a full complement of fans last came to Wimbledon but staff are eagerly anticipating this year’s event.

“We are excited to see how it is,” Mr Conradi said.

At a Shelter charity shop, volunteer Alison Filday, 82, would like to see a late opening at the store so customers who return from the tennis can browse for second-hand items as well as sitting down for food.

“It would be a good idea for all of us to stay open a bit later at night,” she said. “They come to eat here and they see all the shops are closed, it’s very quiet.”

Shop manager Joe Tooze, 33, said even the partial return of fans would be a lift for the area after a trying year.

“There will still be a bit of a buzz and an atmosphere and something for everyone to talk about,” he said. “It’s nice having people around.”

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

While you're here
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

War and the virus
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

MATCH INFO

Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)

Charles 57, Amla 47

Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)

Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9

Bangla Tiger win by five wickets

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

MATCH INFO

CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures

Tuesday:

Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)

Second legs:

October 23

Result

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Brraq, Ryan Curatolo (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m; Winner: Bright Melody, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Naval Crown, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m; Winner: Volcanic Sky, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Zainhom, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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The burning issue

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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

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Race card

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m

6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m

6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m

7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m

8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m

9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m

9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m

The essentials

What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

When: Friday until March 9

Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.

Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.

Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
 

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

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The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

FIXTURES

Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800