Wimbledon diary: weather joins Murray lament

Revamped shop benefits as crowds try to dodge the rain while Evian provides refilling station for spectators

On Thursday evening, Andy Murray’s team had shed tears at his final doubles match with his brother Jamie and by Friday morning the Wimbledon clouds had joined the lament. Pathetic fallacy, climate crisis or just typical British summer? Either way, day five brought the worst weather of week one, sending visitors trickling, then streaming, to the Wimbledon shop. It was well equipped to receive them, having had a major refurb this year that adds 25% more floor space. Plenty of room for new products too, including a clever piece of upcycling that turns last year’s unused towels into beach bags. Among those checking them out was the Italian doubles player Camilla Rosatello: “We do get a lot of players coming in here for souvenirs,” said a member of staff. “Unfortunately it usually means they’ve gone out of the tournament …”