Poet offers lighter take on tennis at SW19

LONDON // Wimbledon has its very own resident poet this year. His name is Matt Harvey and his task is to provide a light-hearted diversion from the serious business of the tennis with a collection of daily ditties. So far, the part-time writer has composed witty rhymes on topics ranging from the traditional summer fare of strawberries and cream, the skills of the ball boys, a rare visit from Queen Elizabeth II, and children playing tennis in the park.

But it is Harvey's offering about the great British hope Andy Murray which has apparently created the most amusement among those who follow him on the tournament's official website. He starts the appraisal of the world No 4 with the challenging words: "If ever he's brattish or brutish or skittish, he's Scottish ... But he completes the verse with: "But if he looks fittish and his form is hottish, he's British."

Murray has made an impressive march through the men's draw thus far in the tournament- refusing to concede a set in his four victories, the latest coming last night as he comfortably beat Sam Querrery, the American No 18 seed, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. It suggests, as he prepares for his quarter-final tomorrow with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the French No 10 seed, that he fills the latter category in pursuing his quest to give his country an elusive first men's singles success since Fred Perry's triumph way back in 1936.

The Murray poem continues: "The hopes are up, the sharp pencils out; can he end an impatient nation's trophy drought? "We can't know how it feels, such expectation; one player's shackle is another's spur. "One's hindrance is another's motivation; but all we cod psychologists concur." Harvey is enjoying his new-found fame. "I'm loving it," he said. "It's the best job I have ever had. There has been more interest in what I am doing than I or anyone anticipated.

"But I am hoping to step more into the background in the second week, and write poems about tennis fashions and Wimbledon history." [e-mail]