Prime Minister Tony Blair proved that politics isn't his only game when he welcomed tennis legend John McEnroe to his home on Wednesday. Tony and his wife Cherie were hosting a special afternoon of tennis at Downing Street to promote the Lawn Tennis Association's efforts to boost the sport in urban areas.
The CTC programme, which was celebrating its second anniversary, aims to make the sport accessible and affordable in city centre areas which would not otherwise have tennis facilities.
Children from ten city clubs were invited along for a coaching session with the three-time Wimbledon champion. The fun and games took place on a specially built mini court in front of the prime minister's residence in Whitehall.
Fortunately, the inimitable Mr McEnroe was feeling rather more amicable than he was during his doubles match at the French Open on Monday. The American star seemed his old raucous self as he competed in the over-35s event, taking exception to several rulings by the linesmen. And fans were delighted to see the infamous athlete back on his old fiery form as he disputed calls, shouted at match officials and even offered some profanities to the crowd.
Later on he appeared at an autograph session for his new book, You Cannot Be Serious, and admitted: "A win's a win, but I didn't play well out there."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
