SW19 Diary: Tennis fever hits driveways, Gasquet's great strength

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  • Gasquet has made a name for himself regripping his racquet.

    When the Championships are on, the entire Wimbledon neighbourhood is transformed into one big tennis-themed district with everyone making sure they take full advantage of the situation.

    The residents of the houses by the Wimbledon Queue set up lemonade stands, the fashion stores sell tennis-inspired outfits and the rent prices for rooms or apartments shoot through the roof.

    One of the funniest ways people manage to monetise their Wimbledon locale is by renting out their driveways as parking spots (don’t ask me where they put their own cars).

    Driving through the winding, hilly streets around the All England Club, you can see handmade signs on people’s lawns asking for £20 or more for Wimbledon visitors to use their houses for parking their cars.

    I spotted a man with a cardboard sign standing on the corner of his house offering two weeks’ worth of parking.

    Hours later, I passed by the same street and he was still there. You’ve got to applaud his commitment to the cause.

    GASQUET’S GREAT STRENGTH

    Meanwhile at the tennis, French No7 seed Richard Gasquet was quizzed about his lightning fast ability to re-grip his racquet at every changeover during his matches – a habit he stays true to every single match.

    “Of course, I’m the fastest to do it. I’m sure about it. I didn’t win a grand slam, but to do that I’m the best,” Gasquet said laughing.

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