Bearded Gulbis not a ‘style thing’

Ernests Gulbis is one of the biggest characters on the men’s tour, renowned in the past for a playboy lifestyle.

The Latvian has come to Wimbledon with a beard, an unusual look for him, and he faces Novak Djokovic in the third round next.

Asked if it was a ‘lucky beard’, Gulbis was up front about the reason for its existence.

“Not lucky, no. I’m just, a little bit lazy to shave. It’s not a style thing,” he said.

Having said in 2014 at the French Open that he was on a “last-chance train” to succeed in his tennis career, Gulbis has seen that train run out of fuel in recent times.

But he has stoked the engine again, and said: “I was wrong. Maybe now is the last chance train. Maybe there is going to be another last chance in five years. Who knows?”

QUOTE OF THE DAY – “Her knee was in a very weird position. I’ve never seen anything like this probably except in the movies.” – Sorana Cirstea paints a grim picture of the injury suffered by her opponent Bethanie MattekSands.

TWEET OF THE DAY – “Am just devastated about Bethanie Mattek Sands and her injury today - we are all behind you, hoping for the best- lots of love,m. #MATTEK” – Martina Navratilova.

MATCH OF THE DAY – Heather Watson has never gone beyond the third round at Wimbledon, so her Centre Court clash with Victoria Azarenka presents itself as a great opportunity for the former British No 1.