Sharapova’s Wimbledon qualifying bid to be broadcast

LONDON: Fans around the world will be able to watch Maria Sharapova’s bid to reach Wimbledon with qualifying for the Grand Slam to be broadcast for the first time, it was announced on Friday.

However, a spokeswoman for the All England Lawn Tennis Club, the tournament organisers, told AFP here that this was one of several “long-planned” changes and not a decision made in response to 2004 Wimbledon singles champion Sharapova’s move to take part in qualifying rather than accept a wildcard as she returns from a doping ban.

An AELTC statement said it wanted to “continually improve the facilities for both competitors and spectators” at the Bank of England sports centre in Roehampton, near Wimbledon in southwest London, which has hosted qualifying uninterrupted since 1947.

“For the first time, television coverage from the event’s main Show Court will be available to spectators inside the Grounds via a giant video screen, and to Wimbledon fans around the world on wimbledon.com and via the AELTC’s broadcast partners,” the statement said.