Is it really a year since we were spellbound by that amazing Men’s Singles Final when in gathering darkness Rafael Nadal finally won his first Wimbledon title beating Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7?
Venus Williams won the Ladies’ Singles and also teamed up with sister Serena to win the doubles. And there was the smiling Laura Robson’s win in the Girls’ Singles.

One of the nice things about Wimbledon is the way the oldies come back. The main championship is one of 12 competitions during the Wimbledon fortnight – boys, girls, wheelchair, senior, singles, doubles. The 2008 champions in the Senior Gentlemen’s Invitation Doubles were Ken Flach and Robert Seguso, who won the Men’s Doubles in 1987 and 1988 as well as the Olympic gold medal in 1988.In all Flach won 6 Grand Slam Doubles titles.

At the height of his career, Flach and his wife were invited to a Bible Study. He recalls, 'We asked a lot of questions and began to understand that Jesus died on the cross for our sins so we could enter into relationship with God through him. The Bible study came at the right time for both of us. That night we decided to follow Christ. It was amazing because prior to that evening I did not know anything about Jesus. But when I heard Bible verses explaining who he was, I knew it was right to follow him,'

'My relationship with Christ has changed my life. It helped me handle losses a lot better when I was playing professionally, and it made me a more sensitive and better husband and father. Sandra and I have experienced a steady confidence that helps us goes through the ups and downs of life, because we now know God is control despite any circumstance we face.'

Wimbledon is much more than a tennis tournament.It is the largest single annual sporting catering operation carried out in Europe. Wimbledon is famous for its strawberries and cream – and tennis. Over 2,000 kilos (8,000 punnets) of strawberries are consumed daily during the fortnight, served with over 7,000 litres of fresh cream. To ensure the freshness, strawberries are picked in Kent the day before being served and arrive at Wimbledon at around 5.30a.m. As Michael Caine used to say, ‘Not a long of people know that’. Then there are the 300,000 cups of tea and coffee, 250,000 bottles of water, 190,000 sandwiches, 150,000 glasses of Pimm’s...I could go on.

Then there is the merchandise. In 2007 they sold 16,712 mini tennis ball key-rings, 9,912 Ladies’ Championship towels, 7,267 twin wrist bands, and 5,590 Slazenger mini balls. Jean Cooke of IMG runs the retail programme and is also responsible for the UK-based licensing programme on behalf of The All England Club. It is a 12- month job for Jean and her five permanent staff – running the year-round Wimbledon shop and working with her in the office – plus nearly 270 temporary staff around the time of the tournament. During the 15 years she has been running the Wimbledon merchandise operation, she has seen a fourfold increase in sales.

Jean denies that she prays for rain to attract more people into the shop and to boost umbrella sales. 'Our best days are when the weather is fine and everyone has a good day and they want to take a little bit of Wimbledon home with them.'

Talking of prayer, it is very much part of her life. 'The period around The Championships can be very stressful and there are times when I sense that God is giving me a peace that I wouldn’t otherwise have. As a Christian I try to do the best job I can and I hope that I honour God in that way. I really believe God has been involved in my career and career choices and feel very grateful for the way He has guided and led me.'

Jean was at the Holy Trinity Church, Brompton Road, for many years – ‘it was a huge privilege to be involved in HTB when Alpha was just taking off’ and feels heavily influenced by those experiences. Now involved in a new and growing Network church in Sussex she has run a few Alpha courses and currently runs The Marriage Course with her husband, Richard.


As you cheer for Andy Murray in his quest for the title, (whether watching on TV, from the Centre Court or Henman Hill), spare a thought for Jean and her team working long hours to add value to the event.