By Liza Horan

The big story in sports at the moment is the Olympic Games in Vancouver, of course. We have to wait two years for London 2012 to see the tennis action, but it may prove to be the best chance yet for regular tennis fans to get inside the gates of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

 

The reinstatement of mixed doubles for medal competition and the vow by London 2012 chief Lord Coe, a former gold medal runner, to offer affordably priced tickets are good news. The majority of tickets for Wimbledon are received through debenture holdings, AELTC member offers and a public lottery.

 

And, fans may see top players in new form because the addition of the mixed doubles competition did not mean additional playerscould participate but that the teams would draw from those alreadyplaying singles and doubles. Perhaps we could see Roger Federer andPatty Schnyder face Andy Murray and Elena Baltacha?

Incidentally, 26-year-old Baltacha won singles and doubles (with Laura Granville) at the Dow Corning Tennis Classic in Midland, Mich., yesterday.