Wimbledon 2014

Barring an unlikely string of results and a heap of Italian good fortune, the England football team were seemingly eliminated last night from the 2014 World Cup. Following a a weekend in which the National rugby team also lost a decisive match in their test series against the New Zealand, English and indeed British eyes will begin peering hopefully ahead to the start of the 2014 Wimbledon tennis tournament on the 23rd June.

In last year's final Andrew Murray dramatically defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4 to end Britain's 77 year wait for a Wimbledon Men's Champion. In 2014 Murray enters the tournament as the 3rd seed and whilst he is arguably under significantly less pressure than in recent years, many Britons will be pinning their hopes on the Scot to revive a thus far underwhelming year of British sport.
Britain's top Women's prospect Laura Robson has already been ruled out of this year's Tournament with a wrist injury, dashing any hopes of finding a successor to 1977 champion Virginia wade and leaving Murray still firmly in the spotlight. 2014 also presents Murray with the unique opportunity to become the first Briton to win consecutive Wimbledon titles in the professional era, a feat which would no doubt see him entrenched amongst the legends of the sport, a spot which many would argue is already well deserved.

Whilst it may not have the furor, high fashion and foods of centre court, it is a common sight during the tournament to see our students relaxing between classes by watching the matches together in the student lounge, indeed as the weather continues to improve many of them may take the opportunity to visit the Wimbledon grounds or even pick up a racquet themselves here in one of Oxford's many parks!  

The Legend that is Andy Murray

Today in the news there was one name that just kept popping up and that was Britain's newest hero, Andy Murray. It was 77 years since a British man won the prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament, and on Sunday, our hero put an the end of this grueling wait. 

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, was so overjoyed with Murray's success that he has even suggested knighthood. A bit over the top, perhaps, but his victory certainly lifted the spirits of the British public, including those of the staff here at OISE Oxford.

Today Mr Cameron and other politicians put their political differences aside as they chatted to Murray in the No 10 garden. 'Mr Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Scottish National Party's Westminster leader Angus Robertson listened intently to Murray, who just 24 hours earlier had claimed a historic victory.'1

The Handshake

A handshake is a short ritual in which two people grasp one of each other's like hands. It is commonly done upon meeting, greeting, parting, offering congratulations, expressing gratitude, or completing an agreement. In sports or other competitive activities, it is also a sign of good sportsmanship.

Indeed, the handshake is a traditional part of tennis etiquette. But it has been noted that in recent years, there has been a makeover and it has mostly likely caught the attention of Wimbledon fans over the last week.

The old-school post-match handshake - the kind you would see replicated in polite company or in business meetings - is out. Instead, a thumb-gripping clench is very much in.

"This handshake is a bit more rock and roll, it's got an edgy masculinity," says sports historian Dr Martin Polley of the University of Southampton.

The trend has been getting more common on the tennis circuit for a while. But now, it's dominant. However, former British number one tennis player Andrew Castle isn't a fan.

"I love a decent handshake at the end of the game - it's wonderful when you've been through something together to signify the end of the contest," he says.

What is your opinion? What type of handshake do you prefer?  Are you a traditionalist or are you down with the kidz?!

Source: BBC Magazine
 

Stawberries and cream anyone?

So its time to get excited, Wimbledon is just around the corner. 

The Championships, The Wimbledon Championships or simply Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and widely considered the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the others being the Australian Open, French Open and US Open. Wimbledon is the only Major still played on grass, the game's original surface, which gave the game its original name of "lawn tennis".

The tournament will be taking place from this approaching Monday 24th June for 13 days, culminating on Sunday 7th July. 

Wimbledon traditions include a strict dress code for competitors, the eating of strawberries and cream by the spectators, and Royal patronage. The tournament is also notable for the absence of sponsor advertising around the courts.

The five main events, and the number of players (or teams, in the case of doubles) are:
Gentlemen's Singles (128)
Ladies' Singles (128)
Gentlemen's Doubles (64)
Ladies' Doubles (64)
Mixed Doubles (48)

AT OISE Oxford we will be rooting for Andy Murray. Seeded number 2 in the Championships.  We all hope he will be able to build on his recent win of the Aegon Championships title at The Queen's Club. 

To keep fully informed on the tennis check out the coverage on BBC and the official Wimbledon webpage. 

Go Murray and go Wimbeldon!  Wimbledon fever here we come!