Gregory St John Rusedski-Smythe has a nice ring to it

Gregory St John Rusedski-Smythe has a nice ring to it.Agassi, of Armenian descent, has already thought of that one, and while Agassian to Agassi is not the most comprehensive change of name in United States’ history (Marian Morrison to John Wayne takes a bit of beating) the objective was to make him sound more “American”.The objective behind the headgear is that something on top apparently makes him feel more businesslike (in which case Greg might try a bowler hat this afternoon) and also prevents sunburn. “He’s using words like “brilliant” and “lovely” Agassi observed earlier in the week.Most of us, Agassi included most probably, are now wondering whether Greg’s next appearance on Centre Court today will include making his entrance in a Noel Coward smoking jacket, and ordering pots of tea and cucumber sandwiches during change-overs Maybe he’ll change his name. He has, he says, been “getting a kick” out of Rusedski’s rapid conversion from Canadian to true Brit with the Union Jack headband. Wheaton was probably thinking: If the patriotic headgear can work for Greg Rusedksi, why not me? He promptly won the second set.Agassi, on the other hand, has become the world’s most popular tennis player with a game and a charisma which transcends nationalistic boundaries.

He’s got a few bob as well.”In tennis prize-money alone Agassi has won getting on for $10m, and it’s probably safe to speculate that the matching rings he and Miss Shields have been wearing this week were not plucked from Ratners’ economy range.Neither did Brooke feel inclined to approach the umpire and use hers as a knuckleduster on Saturday after Andre left the court a four-set winner over his American compatriot, David Wheaton.When Wheaton lost the opening set, he paused for reflection in his chair, whipped off his white cap, and replaced it with a Stars and Stripes bandana. At which point, 13,000 people leapt to their feet and went absolutely potty.
It was as hard to fathom why this should be, as it was to glance across at his actress girlfriend, Brooke Shields, and imagine what the reaction might have been had Andre Agassi been similiarly attired when she first took him home to meet mother.The only mental picture that came to mind was of Brooke attending to the horizontal Mrs Shields with a bottle of smelling salts, and whispering: “There, there, mom, he’s actually quite sweet. A shortish man, bearing such a striking resemblance to a Barbary Coast pirate that it was a touch surprising to see him toting a tennis racket rather than a cutlass, walked on to a lawn wearing a pair of shorts apparently hewn from a sponsored marquee, and what appeared to be a pair of ladies’ knickers on his head. No sooner had a wild-eyed woman burst into her husband’s press conference to confess that she had just given an umpire a severe handbagging, than it was on to Centre Court for further evidence that a combination of Wimbledon, and week-long temperatures which would have made a lizard think twice about venturing outdoors without a hat, has sent everyone mildly deranged. A winner of the junior title in 1988, she is 6ft 2in and has the biggest serve in the women’s game..

The opening week of the women’s tournament was dominated by regular bulletins on the condition of Steffi Graf’s back and a fair amount of praise for Arantxa Sanchez Vicario’s improvement on the grass courts.The favourites may have noted that Brenda Schultz-McCarthy, the Dutch No 15 seed, is still contention. Both have advanced to a Grand Slam final, only to be brushed aside in straight sets. Korda was defeated by Jim Courier at the 1992 French Open, Pioline by Sampras at the 1993 United States Open.When Rusedski mentioned that he had been to see the Three Sisters, he was not referring to the Maleevas from Bulgaria, none of whom have made the slightest impression on this occasion. “I think you always have a little chance, and I will go for it. But I don’t know how big my chance is, or how small my chance is, to win against Boris Maybe he might be worried because he doesn’t know me at all. None of the good players have ever seen me before, and they don’t know how I play.” They are learning fast.If Becker prevails, he will play either Korda or Pioline.

He was defeated by Sandon Stolle in the final round at Roehampton, and on Saturday he eliminated another Australian, Todd Woodbridge, for the right to play Becker.While it is obvious that Norman has a big serve, the precise speed of his deliveries will remain a mystery unless he comes within the scope of the speed gun on the Centre Court.Strong on taciturnity, Norman tried not to sound even quietly confident. The 6ft 8in Norman has seen off two former champs, Pat Cash, who retired hurt, and Stefan Edberg, who compared the experience to a meeting with Goliath.Norman’s conquests are all the more remarkable since the 24-year-old from Waregem scraped into the tournament as a lucky loser from the pre- qualifying event. He is required to overcome the unseeded Dutchman, Jacco Eltingh, before checking if Agassi is next in the last eight.Boris Becker, who is projected to meet Agassi in the semi-finals, faces the Belgian, Dick Norman, on Court Two, which is known as the graveyard of champions. Henceforth, he will be remembered as the opponent when Jeff Tarango decided to take his rackets home.Wayne Ferreira, the seventh seed, is determined to persuade the folks back home in South Africa that an oval ball is not the only symbol of success.