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As Wimbledon tennis winds to a close on Sunday, July 6th, the event many consider to be the most significant croquet tournament in the world opens with singles play at Hurlingham, near London. We will make regular reports as they become available to us.

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British Open Singles starts on Sunday, 6th July, with defending Champion Robert Fulford opening against former Great Britain Captain David Openshaw. Fulford has slipped from No.1 in the World Rankings, [and world champion Chris Clarke has edged ahead of him now to No. 2] and in the absence of new No.1 Aaron Westerby, Fulford will be hungry to re-establish his reputation as the world's best player.

Reg Bamford's lowly Singles seeding of No. 6 [due to his absence from recent major competition] has attracted much comment, and if he can get past Michael Heap (1977 Open Champion) he will surely be a tough player to beat. Clarke, Maugham and a resurgent Mulliner are the other likely challengers to Fulford's title.

The Doubles will get going on Tuesday, with the top three seeds being Clarke & Fulford (1996 Champions), Comish & Maugham (1995 Champions) and Bamford & Mulliner (1994 Champions).