French Fries

French Fries

Wimbledon treats players like dirt. The French Open treats them like gods.

``I'm not a superstar and I've never felt like I've been treated like a god, but it's nice here,'' said Fredrik Bergh, a Swedish junior player, relaxing in airy restaurant facilities where rows of televisions relay the grunts of players toiling on clay courts outside.

Wimbledon nightmare

With its illustrious history and strawberries-and-cream tradition, Wimbledon considers itself the jewel in the crown of Grand Slam tennis, but some players remembered it more for its drizzle.

``There's no space at Wimbledon, it rains a lot and it's a nightmare, everyone's stuck in the locker room, the restaurant is packed,'' said Canada's Sebastien Lareau, tucking into a rice dish fresh from the Roland Garros restaurant.

``I think Wimbledon is the one that has to work the most on their facilities now,'' he said.

Wimbledon will have a chance to woo players' affections again this year when they move into new lounge, gym and restaurant facilities.

Officials are also hoping for a word with Medvedev.

``We hope he will talk to us about his feelings when he comes to the championship. We also hope he will be impressed with the new players' complex,'' said a Wimbledon spokeswoman.

Wimbledon's organisers may also take a lesson from criticism of Roland Garros made by tennis veteran Martina Navratilova.

Making a return to Grand Slam tennis after a five year absence, Navratilova said on Friday that the food left a lot to be desired.

``They have 18 different kinds of desserts and not one vegetable. What are they feeding, the people that are here or the players?,'' she said.

``I know now why I always brought my own food,'' she said.