I NEVER watch tennis all year, but Wimbledon is a different ball game - it's compulsive.

The entertainment has been absolutely superb, and with the shock early loss of two favourites, Hingis and Sampras, it could be anyone's title.

How the game has changed from the refined days of long trousers and skirts.

Even since 1968, when the game turned pro, there's been an amazing surge of progress.

We thought Rod Laver was the bees knees then, but I don't think even he would have stood a chance against today's towering amazonian women.

It seemed to me that all male tennis players had to be good looking, but that theory was destroyed on Monday by 19-year-old Swiss Roger Federer, who whacked Sampras out of the championships.

Tennis is a great game to play - but only if you have ballboys.

I found it so infuriating, spending more time chasing balls around other players' courts than playing myself.

However, the once-a-year treat is living up to expectations, and will once again, no doubt, encourage a flurry of activity at local courts.