Ellon’s Claire Birnie judging the world’s best
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A PROMISING tennis talent from Aberdeenshire is appearing at Wimbledon all week – but without a racquet.
Claire Birnie is serving her second stint as a line-judge at SW19, following her debut there in 2007.
The 20-year-old, who still has ambitions to one day play on the famous grass courts, is enjoying being immersed in the experience at the All England Club.
She said: “The buzz around the place is just incredible, it’s fantastic just wandering around soaking up the atmosphere.
“The weather has been really good as well which has helped, and it is wonderful to be involved.”
Due to her youth and relative inexperience, Claire has been working on the outside courts, but has still judged in matches featuring top talent.
“I did world No.5 Svetlana Kuznetsova’s first round win which was a real highlight,” she said.
“She is one of the best players on the Tour and the highest seed I have ever judged on.”
And the shift patterns for line judges give the RGU student plenty of time to take in other matches, including that of British hope Andy Murray.
She said: “During our breaks we are free to walk around the courts and watch any of the games, but obviously we are not allowed to show any support for any of the players.
“I went up to Centre Court to catch part of Andy Murray’s match against Viktor Troicki which was great.”
Claire became a line judge when she was invited by the LTA to take a fast-track course and showed the necessary aptitude to be selected for the flagship event of British tennis.
Hailing from Ellon, Claire is also a tennis player of rich promise, and intends to have a crack at making it as a professional when she has graduated from university, where she is on a sports scholarship studying Applied Biomedical Science.
She said: “My tennis is going well at the moment, RGU have been really supportive.
“I am about to start my final year and when I have graduated I will consider my options.”
