WIMBLEDON attracts the world’s best tennis players to the All England Club – and it has finally returned to brighten up our summer. But many fans are wondering who the famous ‘man in the hat’ is and just why is he always there.
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For tennis lovers, David Spearing is living the dream, watching some of the greatest stars in one of the best seats.
The 83-year-old is Wimbledon‘s senior honorary steward, welcoming guests to the hospitality boxes on Centre Court.
But he has gained popularity for his appearance, sporting a neatly-trimmed goatee and a black Stetson hat.
Despite having been in the role since the days of Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors and Billie Jean King, he is only on his second hat, as the other had disintegrated.
The ‘man in the hat’ has not missed a day at Wimbledon since 1974.
That run has seen Spearing attend the last 41 finals at the Championships, having been located in various boxes over the years.
His preferred area is the Players’ box, where families and coaches of those on court sit. The senior steward has been a host to them since 1998.
Hosting the players’ entourage has seen Spearing meet countless people in the last 20 years.
With the likes of Andy Murray and Roger Federer often gracing Centre Court, he has met their wives Kim and Mirka on many occasions, as well as the Brit’s mother, Judy. But Spearing was star-struck when Barbra Streisand attended in 1990s.
The American singer and actress went to Wimbledon to watch her then-boyfriend Andre Agassi.
