One of my guilty pleasures is Wimbledon. But this year I feel even more guilty than ever watching what has obviously been turned into a massive virtue-signalling event. What is more, vaccine passports have been introduced in the UK by stealth. Those attending Wimbledon had to have two doses of a COVID vaccine and had to prove it. But in addition to the tennis, my son and I play ‘spot the COVID anomaly’. Each time we announce one his girlfriend rolls her eyes and my wife—more forthrightly—tells me to ‘shut the %$£& up and watch the game’. So here goes.
Wimbledon COVID anomaly #1
The first anomaly is that the event is taking place at all. Thousands of people will congregate at close quarters at Wimbledon while weddings, funerals and the rest of life in general remains under some form of restriction on gatherings. Apparently, the open championship at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is an experiment, it is part of the events research programme. Who knew? Can anyone apply?
Wimbledon COVID anomaly #2
The spectators at Wimbledon are unmasked but the members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces who are always much in evidence at the championship are all masked. I have never understood the purpose of the soldiers, sailors and airpeople being at Wimbledon but, given the perilous state of our armed forces would they not be better back in barracks?
Wimbledon COVID anomaly #3
The once common ritual of the ballpeople holding out a towel for the players between rallies is gone. Players must now deliver their own towel to a raised container at the back of the court from which only they may retrieve it. Sounds sensible? Well, no. The ballpeople hand them tennis balls which are swapped and rolled around the court ending up in the sweaty hands of the players before ending up back in the hands of a ballperson. Thus, each ballperson and the players probably handle all the balls at some point several times. So, the towel procedure is pointless.
Wimbledon COVID anomaly #3.5
Related to the ball procedure it was noticeable how the Amazonian super fit multiple championship winner Serena Williams nearly jumped out of her skin when offered a hand of condolence by her opponent when she had to withdraw due to injury. For goodness’ sake, they had just been swapping sweat drenched tennis balls at high speed. Mind you, it is just as well for her opponent that she withdrew. The elfin East European opponent looked like she had turned up with a Browning 9mm automatic pistol to take on a Sherman tank, such is the power of Williams’ serve.
Wimbledon COVID anomaly #4
I must admit we did not see this one coming. In fact, I denied it would happen. Andy Murray won his opening match and I commented that due to COVID restrictions, surely, he would not do his trademark tossing of his sweatbands to the crowd. But he did! However, the traditional ball signing and autographing of programmes on the way out has been abandoned. I am glad to see that common sense prevails at Wimbledon.
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