Meet the People

The
Referee The Referee

The
Club Secretary The Club Secretary

The
Hospitality Director The Hospitality Director

The
Event Manager The Event Manager

The
Caterer The Caterer

The
Florist The Florist

The
TV Analyst The TV Analyst

The
Fan

The Referee

Andrew Jarrett

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

I started out playing at The Championships in the late 70's before becoming a coach to various players through the late 80's and early 90's. Some hugely enjoyable years playing in the Vets followed before my work at The Referee's Office took precedence. "Conflict of interest" prevented me doing both unfortunately!

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

I love the unpredictability of it! Every day brings its own challenges and you can never relax! If a day has gone well and I'm happy with our team's contribution, then the feeling as I walk out through those famous gates is very satisfying.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

The 1968 final between Rod Laver and Tony Roche. As a 10 year old spectator lucky enough to get a ticket, I was captivated by the occasion and became "hooked" on tennis thereafter. The Centre Court's atmosphere makes it a real Cathedral of Sport and I loved the whole experience.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

The 2006 final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It was my first final as Championships Referee and to play a small part in the proceedings, first at the start with the coin toss and later at the presentation ceremony were special moments that I shall always remember.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

The cutting edge of tradition!

The Club Secretary

Martin Guntrip

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

Since 2005 as the Club Secretary, but long before that I played The Championships in 1981.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

Being part of a wonderful, professional, forward thinking yet traditional organization.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

The first match I played here many years ago, a mixed doubles with Heather Ludloff (USA) on Court 1 against Virginia Wade and Vijay Amritraj - we lost!

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

Goran's momentous win against Pat Rafter in the final of the 2001 Championships. He won against all odds as a wild card, even the rain helped him!

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Total Quality.

The Hospitality Director

Lesley Tyler

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

15 years.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

To be able to build a hospitality village on a golf course from the ground up and see all our ideas and visions come to life is a great feeling. When guests are so complimentary about the food and the decor you really feel all the hours you spend organising it is worthwhile.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

Each year I have a different memory - most of them good ones... it's great to reminisce with staff, suppliers or clients and say 'do you remember when we...' I've had such good times it would be virtually impossible to name one.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

A long time ago I remember watching one of the Martina Navratilova singles finals against Chris Evert. It was amazing to see Martina on court and I still love to watch her play now, even if it's just on TV.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Fantastic atmosphere, great teamwork.

The Event Manager

Nicky Ewart

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

19, every one of them with Sportsworld.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

Meeting up with familiar faces, clients who come back year after year, Sportsworld staff and suppliers. It is satisfying to know that we deliver and excellent service, from greeting clients in the morning, to serving a delicious a la carte lunch, to waving them goodbye at the end of the day.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

There is a lot of 'behind the scenes fun', including the cutting of the grass with scissors, hiding the duck, eating too many chocolates, rounding up umbrellas, being attacked by cacti! Every year there is something different to remember.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

I have to confess I have never watched a match in its entirety at Wimbledon - the work gets in the way!

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Fab (and exhausting)!

The Caterer

Martin Joyce

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

2008 will be my 21st year.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

Variety. We cater for all guests coming to the ground everyday, as well as support staff. This ranges from ball boys and girls through to VIP corporate guests and Royal Box guests.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

I think it's still to come! I'd like to be able to flick the switch to turn on the roof cover when it's finally finished in 2009.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

I've only ever watched one - that was Pat Rafter v. Goran Ivanisevic, played on the 3rd Monday in 2001... a brilliant game and the atmosphere was amazing.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

England at its best.

The Florist

Richard Elder

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

16 years.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

The most satisfying moment is seeing the completed look on the day, after months of designing, planning, buying and creating - the floral designs really bring Sportsworld's hospitality marquees to life.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

Cliff Richard singing in the rain!

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

My favourite Wimbledon match is always the men's singles - the sheer power and speed of the game is awesome.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

The height of the British sporting summer.

The TV Analyst

Andrew Castle

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

My first spectator experience at the Championships was in 1976, I watched Arthur Ashe open the defence of his title. I felt like I had entered the Cathedral of tennis, it was intoxicating. I first played in the Championships 10 years later. I stepped on Court 6 to play Brod Dyke of Australia. I got goose bumps just walking out there. I won, went to a press conference afterwards and I remember the journalists being amazed that I didn't know that I was to play the no 2 seed Mats Wilander in the 2nd Round.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

The best part of my job is to sit in the commentary box with some of the greatest names to play tennis and to talk with them whilst people at home listen and (hopefully) enjoy.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

Turning the mics off in a match between Federer and Henman whilst commentating on Centre Court with McEnroe and laughing out loud because we were enjoying it so much.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

Agassi vs Phillipoussis, 2003 4th round on Court 1... an unbelievably intense match between two totally contrasting players. Phillipoussis won in 5 sets.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Unique

The Fan

Alistair McGowan

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

I first came to Wimbledon as a fan in 1980 and remember watching Virginia Wade on Centre Court - from the standing area - play someone called 'Peanut' Louie.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

The best part of being a fan at Wimbledon is being able to see so many players in action at such close range. You can also learn a lot about playing the game by focusing on one player and not following the ball - seeing how they move before, during and after a shot!

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

Probably watching Agassi's last match against Rafael Nadal in 2006. I was profoundly moved by the huge swell of emotion in the crowd as they realised an era had come to an end.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

Tim Henman v. Yevgeny Kafelnikov in 1996. Kafelnikov came to Wimbledon as the French Open champion and Henman was, at the time, largely unknown. It was a titanic first round struggle which Henman just won in five thrilling sets, having saved match points - Henmania had arrived! I watched the match at home, leaping up and down with excitement - hope and fear. It was to become a regular experience when Tim was playing!

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Wimbledon is the British summer... nothing else compares! The day after it ends is as empty as the feeling at the end of Christmas Day - all over for another year...

WIMBLEDON 2008

23rd June to 6th July

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Meet the People

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

I love the unpredictability of it! Every day brings its own challenges and you can never relax! If a day has gone well and I'm happy with our team's contribution, then the feeling as I walk out through those famous gates is very satisfying.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

The 1968 final between Rod Laver and Tony Roche. As a 10 year old spectator lucky enough to get a ticket, I was captivated by the occasion and became "hooked" on tennis thereafter. The Centre Court's atmosphere makes it a real Cathedral of Sport and I loved the whole experience.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

The 2006 final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It was my first final as Championships Referee and to play a small part in the proceedings, first at the start with the coin toss and later at the presentation ceremony were special moments that I shall always remember.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

The cutting edge of tradition!

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

Since 2005 as the Club Secretary, but long before that I played The Championships in 1981.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

Being part of a wonderful, professional, forward thinking yet traditional organization.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

The first match I played here many years ago, a mixed doubles with Heather Ludloff (USA) on Court 1 against Virginia Wade and Vijay Amritraj - we lost!

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

Goran's momentous win against Pat Rafter in the final of the 2001 Championships. He won against all odds as a wild card, even the rain helped him!

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Total Quality.

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

15 years.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

To be able to build a hospitality village on a golf course from the ground up and see all our ideas and visions come to life is a great feeling. When guests are so complimentary about the food and the decor you really feel all the hours you spend organising it is worthwhile.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

Each year I have a different memory - most of them good ones... it's great to reminisce with staff, suppliers or clients and say 'do you remember when we...' I've had such good times it would be virtually impossible to name one.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

A long time ago I remember watching one of the Martina Navratilova singles finals against Chris Evert. It was amazing to see Martina on court and I still love to watch her play now, even if it's just on TV.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Fantastic atmosphere, great teamwork.

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

19, every one of them with Sportsworld.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

Meeting up with familiar faces, clients who come back year after year, Sportsworld staff and suppliers. It is satisfying to know that we deliver and excellent service, from greeting clients in the morning, to serving a delicious a la carte lunch, to waving them goodbye at the end of the day.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

There is a lot of 'behind the scenes fun', including the cutting of the grass with scissors, hiding the duck, eating too many chocolates, rounding up umbrellas, being attacked by cacti! Every year there is something different to remember.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

I have to confess I have never watched a match in its entirety at Wimbledon - the work gets in the way!

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Fab (and exhausting)!

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

2008 will be my 21st year.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

Variety. We cater for all guests coming to the ground everyday, as well as support staff. This ranges from ball boys and girls through to VIP corporate guests and Royal Box guests.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

I think it's still to come! I'd like to be able to flick the switch to turn on the roof cover when it's finally finished in 2009.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

I've only ever watched one - that was Pat Rafter v. Goran Ivanisevic, played on the 3rd Monday in 2001... a brilliant game and the atmosphere was amazing.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

England at its best.

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

16 years.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

The most satisfying moment is seeing the completed look on the day, after months of designing, planning, buying and creating - the floral designs really bring Sportsworld's hospitality marquees to life.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

Cliff Richard singing in the rain!

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

My favourite Wimbledon match is always the men's singles - the sheer power and speed of the game is awesome.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

The height of the British sporting summer.

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

The best part of my job is to sit in the commentary box with some of the greatest names to play tennis and to talk with them whilst people at home listen and (hopefully) enjoy.

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?

Turning the mics off in a match between Federer and Henman whilst commentating on Centre Court with McEnroe and laughing out loud because we were enjoying it so much.

4. What is your favourite Wimbledon match and why?

Agassi vs Phillipoussis, 2003 4th round on Court 1... an unbelievably intense match between two totally contrasting players. Phillipoussis won in 5 sets.

5. In a word or phrase, how would you sum up Wimbledon?

Unique

1. How long have you been involved in The Championships?

I first came to Wimbledon as a fan in 1980 and remember watching Virginia Wade on Centre Court - from the standing area - play someone called 'Peanut' Louie.

2. What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your job at Wimbledon?

The best part of being a fan at Wimbledon is being able to see so many players in action at such close range. You can also learn a lot about playing the game by focusing on one player and not following the ball - seeing how they move before, during and after a shot!

3. If you had to choose your most memorable Wimbledon moment, what would it be?