WIMBLEDON — Right at the heart of Wimbledon’s state-of-the-art broadcast centre, sandwiched snugly between Courts 14, 18 and Centre, is the grandiosely named “media theatre”.
With 15 rows of dark green leather seats and acoustic dampening galore, it resembles a very fancy cinema. And it often plays host to some of the most dramatic moments of any Wimbledon as players try to explain, deflect from, or rewrite their victories or defeats.
The championships also attract such a large number and wide range of journalists, most of whom are working extremely long hours and haven’t had a day off since April, so the questions can get quite weird – especially when you find yourself trying to find a different way to ask Carlos Alcaraz for the sixth time that week: “How do you make it look so easy?”
Here are some of the most absurd from this year’s tournament.
For some reason, the internet is desperate to see Emma Raducanu and Alcaraz romantically entangled. It’s not worth thinking to hard about why, because the internet is a strange place not always deserving of diagnosis. But the additional announcement that they would play mixed doubles together at the US Open, news of which broke during the run-up to Wimbledon, ensured that social media would spill over into real life.
Read Next
square TENNISRead More
“Is there are any truth behind the rumours?” Raducanu was asked at the end of her pre-tournament press conference.
She was graced the question with a polite but firm rejection. “We’re just good friends,” and flashed the curious reporter a smile. The moderator promptly wrapped up the press conference. “Way to wrap up!” laughed Raducanu.
It was odd enough for Raducanu to get quizzed about her love life, but even more so when someone asked Cam Norrie.
“Apart from everyone here loving tennis, some of the gossip has been about who Emma Raducanu is dating. Can I ask if you’re dating her? Can we get to the bottom of this please?”
Norrie looked utterly baffled.
“I’m trying to find out who’s dating Emma Raducanu and it seems to be going around all the men’s singles. I’m just wondering if you’re dating her please?”
He replied: “I’m not no. You can ask her though. You can ask her… I don’t know.”
Norrie rightly felt under no obligation to tell the reporter in question that he has a long-term girlfriend, fashion designer Louise Jacobi. All he had to do was glance at Norrie’s players’ box, or, you know, Google it.
The Russia-Ukraine war
Three years ago, Russian and Belarusian players were banned here. So naturally the year after, many of those who had suffered because of the suspension found themselves grilled about their stance on the war. But that was two years ago, Russians have not been banned from competing for some time and there is little to say that has not already been said.
So Russia’s Karen Khachanov was slightly taken aback when, after losing his quarter-final, he was asked whether he wanted a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Khachanov said: “What kind of question is that? How do you think? That’s obvious I think. If you ask any person in this room or outside the room, I think everybody would wish to happen.”
Andreeva wasn’t even an adult when Putin invaded Ukraine – but was expected to have an opinion (Photo: AP)Mirra Andreeva only turned 18 in April, but that didn’t save her from being asked whether tennis should “move on from the war in Ukraine”.
Andreeva replied: “When I play tennis, and I think all of us tennis players, when we play, we don’t really think about what’s going on. We just try to focus how to improve our game and how to win a match.”
Alcaraz’s golf game has become quite the focus after revelations of a budding rivalry with Andy Murray. But usually questions about off-court hobbies are saved for the back-end of the press conference, when reporters are just trying to run out the clock.
So it was with some surprise that Alcaraz was asked if he would be as ruthless in a game of golf with Spiderman actor Tom Holland… straight after reaching the Wimbledon semi-final.
“I would love to play against him in the golf course,” Alcaraz replied. “For me it would be such an honour. I will try to set it up in these two days that I will have much time to do it. So let’s see if he will be available, and we’ll tee it up.”
The weirdest way to eat strawberries?
This was a real “do not adjust your sets” moment when Iga Swiatek was asked to “tell us about the pasta and strawberries.”
Swiatek’s post-third round press conference broke into howls of incredulity as the Pole tried to defend one of her favourite meals, strawberries and spaghetti.
“It’s just a perfect mix of tastes!”
Anything else with it?
Full fat cream, or yoghurt, apparently.
Your next read
square TENNISNick Kyrgios: Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final is not a good look for tennis
square TENNISAmanda Anisimova handed worst Wimbledon final loss for 114 years by Iga Swiatek
square TENNISThe seven points that show Carlos Alcaraz is unbeatable at Wimbledon
square TENNISAndre Agassi makes BBC’s Wimbledon coverage so much more watchable
One-word answer
And then sometimes a well-meaning, carefully thought out question completely fails to land with a player and is made to look quite silly.
“You mentioned in your post-match interview on court how you were a quarterback. Of the sports you played in your life, which helps you most in your grass game?”
Ben Shelton, who played American football and baseball growing up, wasn’t having it
“Tennis,” he said.
Thanks Ben.
Hence then, the article about seven absurd questions i heard in wimbledon s strange little room was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Seven absurd questions I heard in Wimbledon’s strange little room )
Also on site :
- Tornado warning issued, and quickly cancelled, over Alhambra
- Governor Hochul: Annual statewide donation drive is complete
- Skier dies in collision with tree at Colorado’s Aspen Mountain, resort officials confirm