Wimbledon Bits

TENNIS:A round-up of today's other stories in brief...

Huber not the most popular

LIEZEL HUBER, one half of the world’s leading doubles team (formerly with Cara Black), appears not to be the most popular player in the locker room.

That was made clear when Rennae Stubbs was fined €695 for calling the South African-born American a “cow” during the French Open.

The other players dipped into their own pockets for a whip-around and contributed towards the fine.

Murray Mount a health hazard

ANDY MURRAY’S first round match on Monday evening was held under the roof on Centre Court. However, the enthusiastic crowd that would certainly have gathered on Henman Hill, now Murray Mount, were crushed when they did not have the chance to watch the Scottish favourite.

It was raining so heavily officials at the All England club thought the large screen, which is situated in front of a grassy sloped area, would attract so many fans it could have represented a health and safety issue. Rain coming down in stair rods putting off the Wimbledon fan? Don’t be daft.

Judith Hackitt, chairman of Britain’s Health and Safety Executive, accused the tournament of nannyism, saying she could not let the decision “pass unchallenged”.

Right-hander Kimiko a lefty. Right?

KIMIKO DATE-KRUMM was beaten by Venus Williams yesterday on Centre Court. You might have noticed the right-hander’s deft touch around the forecourt, where she capably feathered Williams drives at an angle back over the net. That’s not bad for a lefty. Date-Krumm started playing tennis when she was seven years old. Like most kids at that age they just pick up the racquet in the way they feel most comfortable and with the Japanese player that was naturally left-handed. She still does most of her work with her left hand, but from an early age was instructed to play right-handed. Why? Due to cultural opposition to left-handedness.

WAILING Belarusian Victoria Azarenka has already ratcheted up the decibel levels at Wimbledon this year. She was measured at 95 decibels on Monday.