Sharapova knocked out of Wimbledon

There are certain landmark cultural or sporting events across the globe which remind me of what time of year it is or that we are in a certain part of any given year!! The tennis at Wimbledon is one such icon!!

I basically hate winter but know it's well and truly with us when Easter seems a distant memory and suddenly, the French Open tennis is over and it's all strawberries and cream at the outer London location of so many of Aussie sports great triumphs or heroic attempts!!

Over the years I have enjoyed many late nights during the business end of the second week of this historic grand slam. The grass starts to wear, the seeds fall and some firebrand emerges to claim an unlikely grass court victory... especially against grass master Rafter on 'Aussie Monday' a few years back when somehow Goran Ivanisevic beat Patrick Rafter in a rain delayed Final!!

This year before the whips are cracking it's been all 'Sharapova'... the grunting, the fashion... and just like that she's knocked out by a compatriot 6-2 6-4 and her tuxedo inspired shorts and top make a hasty exit!! Guess I'm just left with watching the tennis now... and wondering how far 'our Lleyton' can get with the dodgy hip!!