Sun, strawberries and freshly cut grass. It can only mean one thing, right? Wimbledon. One of the most iconic sporting events in the world and the tournament synonymous with British summertime. It's the two weeks in July when you can don your tennis whites, crack out the barbecue and sit back for a roll call of memorable matches. Sue Barker's bringing you live coverage, Federer's dancing across the courts and you're going hoarse supporting a player you've never previously heard of. Trust me, my friend and I once spent over an hour cheering madly for "Yanks!" only to realise mid-way through we'd shortened - and misread - the name of poor Ava Ivanovic. We still laugh about it to this day.
I don't know about you, but photo memories that pop up unexpectedly on your phone, informing you of what you were getting up to this time last year, hit different during lockdown. I've wavered between loving this dip into my camera roll and resenting the innocent reminder of all the exciting things that are now off limits. Near the top of the list is surely being in a giant crowd and eating a picnic on Henman Hill - or Murray Mound...
I was very fortunate to go to Wimbledon last year and woke up this week to a phone screen displaying sun-bathed pictures of Court One, purple hydrangeas and strawberries and cream. Not a bad start to the day by any stretch, but there was a definite pang of sadness knowing that this summer there'd be no live tennis at SW19. The grey sky and pouring rain outside my window didn't help either.
So I did what I usually do in these (admittedly trivial) moments of despair: I reached for the radio! And you'll be pleased to hear it didn't disappoint. So if you're feeling the same way, here are three audio treats that will transport you to the most prestigious postcode in tennis and fill the Wimbledon-shaped hole in your heart.
Wimbledon
First up is this glorious episode of Radio 4's Open Country, a show devoted to the people, wildlife and landscapes that shape Britain. Alison Mitchell takes a trip to the prestigious All England Club and explores how Wimbledon has evolved with the shifting nature of broadcasting. She begins on the roof of the media centre and finishes on the grass terraces of Henman Hill overlooking the London skyline. Along the way Mitchell meets the team that makes the venue so special, from the groundsmen to the commentators, who reveal the secrets of tending to the pristine courts year round and narrating the biggest matches. My favourite nugget, however, comes from her opening conversation with Ashley Jones at the Wimbledon museum who explains how the most famous tennis tournament in the world started because a piece of gardening equipment broke. Yes, you read that correctly. One for your next Zoom quiz.
Inside Wimbledon
Next on the list is this special edition of Radio 4's The Media Show in which Eleanor Oldroyd provides a behind-the-scenes insight into how Wimbledon is brought to our screens. But you don't have to be interested in journalism to be swept up in the programme's magic. Oldroyd meets the producers, engineers and broadcasters who make the tournament happen and scatters fascinating facts throughout: telling us that Wimbledon is the world's largest broadcast event attracting an audience of more than a billion over the two weeks; and that David Attenborough, as Controller of BBC Two, was responsible for the first transmission of colour television in Britain in July 1967 - starting with, you guessed it, Wimbledon. There are delightful clips from the archives and exclusive opportunities to step inside the low-ceilinged commentary box, the frenetic media centre and court side photography pit. So slip on your VIP pass and immerse yourself in the buzz of sport broadcasting.
The Day We Won Wimbledon
My final offering is this Radio 5 Live Special looking back at Andy Murray's Wimbledon victory in 2013, which marked the end of Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles champion. The opening will give you goosebumps and you'll be on the edge of your seat throughout, despite knowing the story and its outcome. John Hurt beautifully evokes the magic and history of the tournament, and guides you effortlessly through the drama of the Murray-Djokovic showdown. Interview snippets are included throughout, which capture what it was like to watch from different perspectives: including Judy Murray in the family gallery, Sue Barker and Tim Henman in the BBC studio, Gerard Butler in the Royal Box, childhood friend Keith court side, Lucy and her children at home, and Katie and Jess on the hill. The latter two hilarious and *very* relatable fans who reminisce about frantically waving their banner and eating homemade sandwiches. This programme is like stepping into a warm glow - to a happier, more carefree time when the nation stopped to watch Murray make history. A joy from start to finish.
So in ordinary times we'd be settling down for a weekend of championship finals, willing on Federer and Williams to their record-breaking titles and messaging our family and friends to ask whether they saw that nail biting finale. But while Centre Court may be silent, you can still relive the action, drama and sparkle of Wimbledon over the airwaves.
Honestly, it might surprise you.
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