Tim Henman has offered some inside knowledge into how Wimbledon picked their wildcards this year.
After all, he was one of the key members involved in the selection process, as a cult hero of British tennis.
Now appearing on the BBC, he can take this unique experience and share it with the masses, as he has done today.
He admitted that this year in particular was as easy as it has ever been to choose their wildcards.
Tim Henman reveals Wimbledon’s wildcard plan
Speaking live on the BBC earlier this morning, as their coverage just began, the former Wimbledon semi-finalist started by speaking generally about the tournament.
And, as one of those selected to help choose this year’s wildcards, he was the perfect man to discuss that topic.
Asked if it was a tough process, he admitted: ‘It was a fun job, but Anne and I both sit on that board and you know, there have been times and years gone by where we’ve really struggled to give them away to British players because there hasn’t been the strength in depth. And certainly now to have the likes of Emma and Katie, Sonay Kartal getting direct acceptance. On the men’s you’ve got Jack [Draper], Cam Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Billy Harris, up there as well.
‘So, you know, we’re starting to see more depth. Then you add in 15 of the 16 singles wildcards went to British players. I think that it’s great that we’ve got more players to compete at this level.
‘And I think, you know, even for an event of this magnitude, you want those British stories, you want those British successes for the fans, the local fans to follow.
‘So, yeah, they’ve got difficult draws. It hasn’t been easy for them, but it’s certainly a lot to look forward to. Well, we can’t wait to see them all.’
Lois Boisson’s Wimbledon omission was proven correct
The outstanding story that emerged after Wimbledon’s wildcards were announced surrounded Lois Boisson, the fairytale story from the French Open.
As a relative unknown, she soared into the semi-finals, and in doing so skyrocketed her ranking too.
However, frustratingly, the cutoff point for Wimbledon’s automatic entry into the draw was before Roland Garros, and so Boisson’s rapid rise was rendered irrelevant.
She would have to qualify, like everybody else.
The Frenchwoman captured the imagination in her homeland, but could not translate that form onto the grass. She lost in the very first round of qualifying to Carson Branstine, thus vindicating Wimbledon’s decision not to award her a wildcard.
Branstine lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the Wimbledon first round earlier today, but performed admirably.
