30 APRIL 2003
As of this year, female tennis players competing at Wimbledon will no longer be expected to curtsey before the Royal Box. The Duke of Kent, who is president of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, has done away with the tradition, branding it an anachronism.

An exception will be made if the Queen chooses to appear in person, but Her Majesty has only attended the event four times in the last 26 years.

"The Duke feels the tradition of bowing and curtseying is pretty much on the way out," said All England Club chairman Tim Phillips. "He thinks it is time to stop it, and we respect his views."

The custom was first established on June 26, 1922, when Leslie Godfree and Algie Kingscote walked onto Centre Court to play the opening match in the club's now legendary arena. The pair turned and bowed to George V, then to the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary.

They thereby established the tradition, which has never been officially required of competitors. Indeed one of the tournament's most legendary champions, Martina Navratilova, admits she found it one of the toughest parts of the competition.

"One of the most difficult things I ever had to learn was that little job," says the athlete, who forgot protocol altogether after receiving the runner-up medal from the Duke of Kent. "I forgot to curtsey. I'd never been through something like that before. Usually at tournaments they give you a cheque, you thank everybody and leave."