Charity set to benefit from tennis gamble

A GAMBLER who spotted the Wimbledon-winning potential of Roger Federer eight years ago and staked a hefty bet with potential winnings of more than £100,000 on him to win the tournament seven times has died before being able to see his wager come to fruition.

But Nick Newlife of Oxford has covered that eventuality: he left the bet in his will to the charity Oxfam, which will collect the money should Federer win one more Wimbledon title, either during the tournament starting next week or in any year up to 2019.

"Mr Newlife staked a bet of 1,520 on Federer to win seven Wimbledon singles titles back in 2003 and received odds of 66/1. Sadly he died in 2009, aged 59, but willed the bet on to Oxfam, who now stand to receive 101,840 as a result," said Graham Sharpe, spokesman for bookmakers William Hill.

Stuart Fowkes of Oxfam said: "Legacies are essential to us and, as this case proves, they can come in all shapes and sizes. It is very easy to leave a lasting legacy to those most in need."