This weekend marked the end of the 2011 Wimbledon Championships and with the final tournaments played over Saturday and Sunday (2 July and 3 July) it was set to be an action packed finale for tennis fans.
Novak Djokovic celebrated his first Wimbledon title after beating Rafael Nadal in an exciting centre court clash and in the women’s final Petra Kvitova kept her cool to beat Maria Sharapova.
As the world’s greatest tennis players compete in London, live coverage was aired on the BBC big screen situated in the Hayes. The screen is positioned next to St David’s Hall, so shoppers and sports enthusiasts didn’t have to miss a minute of the action.
The event was supported by Sport.Cardiff and in addition to the live coverage there were free activities on offer throughout the day.
A local tennis professional was on hand to give top tips and skills to members of the public and visitors to the event were able to take to the court and challenge a John McEnroe impersonator.
The celebrations took place on two astro turf pitches equipped with umpire, and tiered seating was erected so that visitors could imagine they were watching the action from centre court.
Before the live finals commenced footage from some of the greatest finals of the past were screened, including highlights from the 2008 Nadal v Federer match, Virginia Wade and Bettie Stove in 1977, and the thrilling Men’s Final played on People’s Monday in 2001 by Ivanesevic and Rafter.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “To have live coverage of Wimbledon aired on the BBC big screen means that people of all ages can enjoy first class tennis competition.
“Sport.Cardiff’s support of the event furthered the atmosphere in the city centre and gave people the opportunity to try out tennis for themselves.”
