Lineker: Snub to tieless Lewis was England at pompous worst
WITH its strawberries, cream and good manners, Wimbledon is seen as everything that’s best about England.
However, the All England Club’s decision to refuse Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton entry to the Royal Box for the men’s singles final has caused BBC presenter Gary Lineker to claim it represents all that is worst about the nation.
Hamilton, 30, was turned away on Sunday after arriving to watch Novak Djokovic play Roger Federer because he was wearing a floral shirt and suede shoes instead of the compulsory jacket and tie.
Match Of The Day anchor Lineker, 54, believes the strict dress code is outdated and could have been relaxed. ‘Might be me,’ he says, ‘but turning away Lewis Hamilton from the Royal Box for not wearing a bloody jacket and tie shows England at its pompous worst.’
The former England striker adds: ‘As expected, many disagree. Actually it may all be about the crowd’s dress sense rather than great sports people, sportsmanship and sport.’
Lineker and his actress wife, Danielle, 36, were among those to have been given free tickets this year for the Royal Box, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had pride of place during one match last week.
A Wimbledon spokesman tells me that it will not change its dress code: ‘Our policy on clothing for the Royal Box is smart lounge suits or jackets and a tie and there are no plans to review this dress code in the near future.’
The spokesman declined to comment on the choice of outfit by Hamilton, who was forced to miss Djokovic’s victory.
Lineker’s view was not shared by three-time Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick, who worked as a commentator for the BBC during the tournament. The U.S. player joked of himself: ‘This obnoxious American is OK with it.’
It is not the first time that Hamilton, who is based in the tax haven of Monaco, has been given a lesson in etiquette. He disclosed last month that the Queen had given him a few pointers on his table manners when he found himself sitting next to her at a lunch.
He began chatting to Her Majesty, ‘but she said, pointing to my left, “No, you speak that way first and I’ll speak this way and then I’ll come back to you”.’