Break point
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The behaviour of the crowds at Wimbledon is becoming increasing partisan, xenophobic and, frankly, unacceptable. No one in their right mind would want to bring back the old days of skirts below the knee and audience participation limited to a polite clap at the end of each game. Tennis is no longer a gentleman's game, any more than Wimbledon is an amateur tournament. And thank heavens for that. The snobbery and arrogance of the All England Tennis Club was the bane of the great Fred Perry three-quarters of a century ago, just as it was for John McEnroe a decade past.
But to abandon patrician patronage should not be an excuse to let in the worst of modern manners. Tennis is not football, or indeed rugby or boxing. It is a test of character and mental strength as much as one of athleticism and physical stamina, and to cheer all the errors of those competing against British players is to destroy the whole point of the game. It's just not tennis.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments