
Wimbledon treats players like dirt. The French Open treats them like gods.
8220;I8217;m not a superstar and I8217;ve never felt like I8217;ve been treated like a god, but it8217;s nice here,8221; said Fredrik Bergh, a Swedish junior player, relaxing in airy restaurant facilities where rows of televisions relay the grunts of players toiling on clay courts outside.
Wimbledon nightmare
With its illustrious history and strawberries-and-cream tradition, Wimbledon considers itself the jewel in the crown of Grand Slam tennis, but some players remembered it more for its drizzle.
8220;There8217;s no space at Wimbledon, it rains a lot and it8217;s a nightmare, everyone8217;s stuck in the locker room, the restaurant is packed,8221; said Canada8217;s Sebastien Lareau, tucking into a rice dish fresh from the Roland Garros restaurant.
8220;I think Wimbledon is the one that has to work the most on their facilities now,8221; he said.
Wimbledon will have a chance to woo players8217; affections again this year when they move into new lounge, gym and restaurant facilities.
Officials are also hoping for a word with Medvedev.
8220;We hope he will talk to us about his feelings when he comes to the championship. We also hope he will be impressed with the new players8217; complex,8221; said a Wimbledon spokeswoman.
Wimbledon8217;s organisers may also take a lesson from criticism of Roland Garros made by tennis veteran Martina Navratilova.
Making a return to Grand Slam tennis after a five year absence, Navratilova said on Friday that the food left a lot to be desired.
8220;They have 18 different kinds of desserts and not one vegetable. What are they feeding, the people that are here or the players?,8221; she said.
8220;I know now why I always brought my own food,8221; she said.