News
Wimbledon announces first Championships Poet
Wimbledon announces first Championships Poet
Wimbledon, in collaboration with The Poetry Trust, has for the first time appointed a ‘Championships Poet’ to capture the flavour and fervour of the world’s leading tennis tournament.
Matt Harvey regularly entertains Radio 4 Saturday Live listeners with his perceptive, whimsical and above all funny poems. He’s also a lifelong tennis fan. As Championships Poet 2010, Matt will create a poem-a-day on all things Wimbledon: from umpires and racket stringers to the ball boys and ball girls; from the grass and its bounce to rain and the roof. Strawberries and cream, of course, and all the unfolding drama of the matches and players.
All Matt’s poems will be viewable online and there’ll be audio podcasts - featuring Matt reading his latest verses and sharing behind-the-scene observations - via the Wimbledon and Poetry Trust websites. Enjoy the first podcast now as Matt explores Wimbledon, shares his excitement and reads his ‘Grandest of Slams’ poem for the first time.
As Championships Poet 2010, Matt will be keeping a blog and interacting with tennis fans at home and abroad via twitter. During the tournament Matt will also give impromptu live performances to the famous Wimbledon queue as they wait to enter the Club’s grounds.
Naomi Jaffa Director of The Poetry Trust comments: “We couldn’t be more thrilled and excited - for Matt, who’s a poet we’re so proud to champion, and for the tennis-loving millions around the world who’ll be surprised and delighted (we hope!) by some truly ace poems.”
Take a tour of Wimbledon with Matt Harvey
