Andrew Castle
Andrew Castle, former British number one and now TV commentator, will be writing a column for Virgin Media during Wimbledon 2007.
The Epsom-born player played professionally from 1986 to 1992, and famously took Mats Wilander to five sets in the second round at Wimbledon in 1986. He played in the Davis Cup and represented Great Britain in two Olympic Games. He is now a regular presenter on GMTV, and commentates on Wimbledon for the BBC.
Have you got a question for Andrew? If so, simply email sport@virginmedia.co.uk and we’ll put the best questions to Andrew during the Wimbledon fortnight.
Please note that Andrew may not have time to answer all of your questions and only a selection of the best will be published.
Alan Plank from Hammersmith: Who do you think is the top beauty of the tournament?
AC:I like Nicole Vaidisova – she's got light hair and very dark eyebrows, like my family! I'll tell you who my tennis beauty is - Annabel Croft. Both our families are still good friends.
Valerie Bailey: How does Venus Williams get away with playing in what looks like knickers and a vest?
AC: Well, how does Nadal get away with wearing cut-off pants and pirate shirts? On a serious note, Wimbledon have kept all-white which is nice, but otherwise bow to the international dress restrictions.
Mark from Stevenage: Is height such a big advantage for tennis players?
AC:Some cultures place too much importance on height. Tennis is played on the ground and not in the air, and there are so many players that we can see weren't massive, like Michael Chang, Agassi, and players now are stronger and fitter. You still have to move properly and get to the ball On the serve yes, height is a help but on the rest of the game I don’t think it's a massive advantage.
Jean McAuley from Edinburgh: In years gone by the players always used to wait for each other and walk off court together. Why don't they do this anymore?
AC:Jean – I couldn't agree more. I think it shows a proper respect. She would have liked the semi-final at Queen's between Mahut and Clement – the Davis Cup team-mates hugged and swapped shirts before walking off together, and it was lovely to watch.
McKenna family: Do you think that schools in Britain are currently doing enough to encourage young pupils to play sports, like tennis, competitively?
AC: We don't have enough in schools, in parks,.. I mean, what is the council tax for? The Cliff Richard Foundation sends coaches into schools and they leave the equipment behind afterwards. There is talent scouting but the brutal fact is that I sympathise completely.
Leanne Shepherd: Answer me this: how come all tennis players male that is look so gorgeous out of tennis gear and in suits? (including yourself) ?
AC: Generally speaking tennis players are quite tall, taller than they look on tv, For example Moya is 6 foot 3, and he doesn't look it. I;m sure he looks good in a suit and I'm told he looks even better in a pair of swimming trunks! But I'm no fashion designer!
6th July 2007
