Wimbledon Abandoned 2008

HENMAN Hill was in shock yesterday, as history repeated itself – the second time as tragedy.

It all started perfectly, with the sun shining down on Tim Henman as he entered the Centre Court for his first ever Wimbledon final.

The Queen made her first public appearance of the year to be there for the great event.

For an hour everything went to plan, as Henman played the game of his life against Roger Federer to take the first two sets 6-3, 6-2, and establish a commanding 3-0 lead in the third.

Then disaster struck. With temperatures reaching the high nineties on centre court, a muffled moan was heard from the royal box, followed by what The Times describes as "a flurry of activity".

The seriousness of the situation was immediately apparent from the grave expressions on the faces of the All England Club officials.

The Queen’s favourite Corgi, Kirsti, died minutes later in an ambulance after suffering two heart attacks in quick succession.

The final was immediately abandoned as a mark of respect. It will not be replayed and the championship trophy will not be awarded this year.

The Mail – whose pages are bordered in black – reports that Henman is "devastated". "My thoughts go out to Her Majesty the Queen," he said. "She has lost her friend, and so has the nation."

When asked about the decision to abandon the final, he replied that an event of this nature "puts tennis in perspective".

Posted: 31st, July 2006 | In: Broadsheets Comment | TrackBack | Permalink