This is only the fourth time in its 130-year history that the Championships have been played on so-called “Middle Sunday” and, happily, the fickle weather melted away and held for an uninterrupted midsummer’s day of play.
On No.2 Court there was a humdinger of a match as Jo-Wilfred Tsonga overcame the American John Isner 19-17 in the final set after the Frenchman finally broke serve then held his own. Isner is already feted as a veteran of the big numbers.
Through my window at the forecast centre I can just make out the commemorative plaque embedded in the outside wall of Court 18 paying homage to Wimbledon’s longest match. Isner won that one with the eye-popping tally of 70-68 in the final set back in the Championships of 2010, beating Nicolas Mahut of France.
Off court and away from the forecast centre, I’ve been making friends with Buddy and Harvey. I liked their style too. I learned that Buddy and Harvey enjoy a cool drink on a day like this. What’s more, they like a splash in the bath here at the Club now and then, sometimes together.
Who are they and what exactly are we talking about?
Well, Harvey is a Springer spaniel and Buddy is a Sprocker — a cross between a Springer and a Cocker spaniel — and they form part of the 10-strong team of police dogs patrolling and searching the grounds with their handlers. Both the spaniels are trained to sniff out explosives, having completed their 10-week basic training period and more.
They were bred by the police for this special work but some of the dogs are from rescue centres. The police favour Spaniels and Labradors because they say these breeds have a particular talent and drive for the work. The dogs are great favourites here at SW19.
If a seeded player were to happen to come by at the same time as one of the spaniels it might be touch and go as to who got the most attention.
