THE NEW AND THE OLD

As I said in my last blog, Wimbledon is in full swing, and my wife and I watch it by the hour. The coverage is fantastic with a host of good and knowledgeable announcers (or presenters, as the Brits call them), the king of whom is John McEnroe. By the time of the semis and finals next weekend, McEnroe will have moved from BBC to NBC to fulfill his commitment to American television. McEnroe, more than all the others, has the ability to transmit what is happpening in the players' heads, and some of his comments seem almost prophetic.

I won't bore you with any more match details, because most people aren't as nutty about the game as we are. I do want to comment, however, on the Williams Sisters. Many times in the past, I felt they have played the race card too often, especially Serena, but I do have to agree with Serena's recent complaint that they are not getting enough time on the "show courts", Centre Court and Court #1. Serena is, after all, the defending champion---yet she has only played once on those major courts. Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic have played on these venues several times.

I readily admit to being a male chauvinist on tennis in that men's matches are usually more exciting to watch, although this year several of the women's matches have been truly suspenseful. In general, due to the power, variety and length (five sets potential for men against three set maximum for women), the guys have more excting matches.

Wimbledon is slowly evolving, but the Old Boy Network is still in charge and has definite ideas on what they want. How many times at the U.S. Open, when you survey the crowd, do you see a liberal sprinkling of suits and dresses? Of course, Wimbledon has the Royal Box with obvious dress requirements, but even beyond the Royal Box, some suits and dresses with big hats, like the Kentucky Derby, are in vogue.

Doubtless, the Williams sisters collide with the old traditions and values. Usually, they are very tactful and play the game, literally and figuratively. In this recent case, Serena did not rant and shout but quietly noted by inference that she and Venus felt they were not being featured enough on the show courts.

It will be fascinating to see what happens in the future. The papers here are noting Serena's complaint, and commentators are weighing in. Tradition vs. the New World. It could be,as Arte Johnson used to say on "Laugh-in", VERRRRRRRY INTERESTING!