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Queueing all part of the fun for Henman fans
Tennis fanatic Sue Callaghan was singing in the rain on Saturday, happy to line up for two days for a chance to cheer Tim Henman.
Tennis fanatic Sue Callaghan was singing in the rain on Saturday, happy to line up for two days for a chance to cheer Tim Henman.
But the announcement that organisers at rain-sodden Wimbledon have been forced by the backlog of matches to stage an extra "People's Sunday" will cut that wait by half.
The British love an orderly queue and Callaghan is a classic example — every summer for the last 22 years, come rain or shine, she has got in line outside the All England Club.
Callaghan, bedecked in Union Jack trousers, waistcoat and hat, is also a true Brit because she, like so many of her compatriots, boasts a stoic acceptance of failure.
"I still forgive him for losing," she said of Henman who has reached the Wimbledon semi-finals four times but never achieved his ultimate goal.
"I could jump out there on the court and ask why do you put us through this?"
Asked to pick her favourite Wimbledon moment, Callaghan had no hesitation in selecting Goran Ivanisevic's classic final with Pat Rafter in 2001.
"It was electrifying. I was coming out of my seat. I didn't know who I wanted to win," she told Reuters, sitting proudly at the head of the queue for tickets on Centre Court.
Callaghan, 51, does not lack for creature comforts.
"I won't be going thirsty — that's for sure," she said, lager in hand as she relaxed in her red, white and blue Union Jack chair,.
"We get Chinese or Pizza takeaways. I have got a tent. I'm also got a room in a bed and breakfast where I can go for a shower, I even have Union Jack knickers, she said.
Callaghan, the words "Go Tim Go" emblazoned across the back of her waistcoat, loves to lead the cheering on Centre Court.
"We get a great atmosphere going out there," she said. "Five matches yesterday and all in the sunshine. We all had a good laugh."
"I do love a queue. It does bring us all together."
