TENNIS: Queen's - Women's championship - R1

So, women are back playing competitively at Queen’s club for the first time in 52 years, so whoever wins will be a trailblazer, in a way. Apparently they will be getting less in prize money than the men next week – boo! And I say that as someone who doesn’t believe in equal prize money at the slams, because I think there should be some fractional recognition that the men’s singles are five sets, even if women were probably barred from playing five because of past sexism. Oh, sorry, ‘the schedule’. (Do they run a shorter distance in a marathon?) But here, what’s the excuse? All the matches will be best of three! Wanting women to prove themselves? The ticket sales have been good, (and the attendance and support will be a boost after the issues at the French.) I wonder what state the courts will be at the end of the week, and if that will throw the men - oh well, they'll be financially compensated for it, won't they?

Is it a bit rough that a 500 event is being held straight after a grand slam? Admittedly, the turnaround between surfaces is notoriously quick at this time of the year, and so it looks as though they’ve had a strong field, because players want time on the grass, and Queen’s will be less windy than Eastbourne.

They’ve renamed the centre court Andy Murray arena. First on it were ( Read more... )

The top four seeds had byes in the first round and will appear today.