Wimbledon diary: The Pieman cometh to SW19

n No wonder All England Club officials were looking slightly concerned yesterday. Spotted in the pristine grounds was none other than Chris Robinson, in a rather natty cream linen suit. The Pieman cometh to SW19. He, of course, has a habit of making bad things happen to sports venues, having tried his damnedest to prise Hearts from their much loved and spiritual home of Tynecastle and move them to a soulless rugby stadium while chief executive at the club. (In the interest of fairness, we must also note how he helped Coventry City move back to their home city last year after a spell playing in Northampton).

Former Hearts chief Chris Robinson was spotted at SW19. Picture: Neil Hanna

Still, don’t be surprised to hear Wimbledon is being uprooted and moved to a rugby stadium in Milton Keynes or some place in the near future. Our moustachioed hero was overheard outside the Pimm’s tent muttering something about Centre Court being “unfit for purpose”, new retractable roof or not.

n There was an awful kerfuffle on Court No 3 yesterday after seventh seed Ana Ivanovic’s match against Yi–Fan Xu had finished. Not because there had been any great upset during the contest itself, which Ivanovic took care of in fairly straightforward manner, 6–1, 6–1. But it was the appearance of her boyfriend that meant security guards were called into action. Bayern Munich playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger is the Serbian’s current squeeze and he happens to be the subject of fevered transfer activity, with Manchester United reported to be trying hard to entice him to Old Trafford.

Hence Ivanovic, who must be considered ones of the outside bets here, walked away after her triumph with only a couple of autograph hunters by her side. Schweinsteiger, meanwhile, battled through a throng of what seemed like about a hundred onlookers keen to find out about his next move. His lips remained sealed.

n Although Andy Murray was not due on court until the next day, there was a strong Scottish influence in the royal box yesterday. Joining the Earl and Countess of St Andrews was Sir Jackie and Lady Stewart.

Sir Jackie, pictured with TV celebrity Fiona Bruce, is a regular visitor to these parts, as is long–time diary fave Mr Francesco Ricci Bitti, who is not, as far as we can ascertain, Scottish. Although his surname might suggest otherwise, neither is former ITN news reader Sir Trevor McDonald, who was also present in the posh seats yesterday.