Watch the birdie !

Rufus the hawk

The first use of a bird of prey, Rufus the American Harris hawk, in 2009, to get rid of those pesky pidgeons from the grass courts of Wimbledon. His job was to scare them off and keep the courts blemish free.

The first poet of Wimbledon

In 2010 the 1st Bard of Wimbledon, the official Championship poet, was announced, Matt Harvey, and wrote a poem called "The Grandest of Slams".

Rafael Nadal (b. 1986-) Rafael Nadal (Sp)  -won 2008, 2010.

Beat Roger Federer 2008, beat Thomas Berdych 2010.

The first Spanish player to win the Mens Singles title at Wimbledon.

The only player to play with the "wrong" hand.

The first £1 million mens winner.

Nadal WimbledonAndre Agassi serving at Wimbledon

The "king of clay" proved he could turn into an all-court player when he won Wimbledon for the first time in 2008, against Roger Federer, in what is often regarded as one of the greatest finals of all time, and then proved it was no fluke by winning the title again in 2010. Known as probably the greatest clay court player of all time, Nadal adapted his style to the faster, lusher, grass courts of Wimbledon, using power and speed to retrieve "impossible" balls that most players would have given up on. Interestingly, Nadal is right-handed, but actually plays with his left hand - a truly unusual technique for an exceptional player.

Nadal Wimbledon