Thankfully, for the past four years I have fulfilled an ambition to watch the action live… thanks to G4S Security Services (UK), whose PR and marketing and corporate communications specialists Douglas Greenwell (marketing director) and Naomi Broad (head of communications) take turns in inviting me to a spot of luncheon followed by an afternoon courtside.
As the official security services provider to the Championships, G4S has been working with the All-England Club for 21 years to provide security services that have necessarily developed over time in response to the changing security environment. The company’s superbly smart and professional officers and managers control access to the event, carrying out very thorough, compulsory bag searches (my Marillion rucksack was searched in textbook fashion by an extremely polite, efficient officer).
Detailed searches are carried out on individuals identified by way of crowd profiling. Checks are also carried out to confirm the identity of ticket holders. Increasingly, new technology is being implemented to enhance existing CCTV provision around and about the complex, with an additional deployment of metal detection equipment assisting the on-site personnel to safeguard not just members of the public but also the players. At The Championships, all players are escorted to the courts by dedicated G4S staff, who also manage the crowds to cut out any chance of the players being attacked.
This year, Naomi and I met promptly at 12.30 pm in front of Gate 5 on Thursday 5 July. We had a fine luncheon in The Wingfield Restaurant (with mine consisting of a delicious smoked salmon and cream cheese parcel for the first course, followed by fresh poached salmon (I like salmon, OK!), new potatoes and seasonal vegetables and, to finish, what else but the classic strawberries and double cream. All washed down with a crisp bottle or two of Chardonnay!
Alas, the summer drizzle that we have all now come to expect on a regular basis ensured that we only saw about an hour or so of tennis, but that did include the initial joust between the seemingly invincible Roger Federer (who later that week went on to claim his fifth successive Men’s Singles title, equalling the great Borg) and Spanish challenger Juan Carlos Ferrero. At one stage it was looking like a non-contest, with Federer not even breaking sweat to lead 5-2. However, by the time the heavens opened it was 5-5 in the first set and nicely poised. Federer went on to win 7-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3. Pretty comprehensive.
Naomi was kind enough to buy me my first-ever glass of ice cold Pimm’s (which was delicious), and we had a nice chat (when the rain began) under our makeshift brolly ‘tent’ about everything from marriage and holidays through to licensing and the future of the industry.
We also managed to stop for a photo opportunity by the main gates with security officer Sonia Roye. We then chatted to G4S’ audit manager Bill Gray for five minutes or so before finally calling it a day (at around 4.30 pm) under leaden skies with no further prospect of any more tennis.
