Ex-British No.1 tennis player 'very sad' after being Wimbledon ban

Buster Mottram, pictured in 1979, is said to be no longer welcome at Wimbledon

A former British tennis No1 has been left saddened after reportedly being banned from Wimbledon. In 2023, Christopher ‘Buster’ Mottram was informed he was no longer welcome at the All England Club “following further misdemeanours”, according to fellow ex-tennis star Roger Taylor. Taylor made the claim in his recently-released book, The Man Who Saved Wimbledon, as reported in the Daily Mail’s Eden Confidential column. Some viewed Mottram, now 70, as a controversial figure. He once wrote a letter in support of then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher amid her battles with the trade unions, signing it on behalf of the Davis Cup team, of which he was a part. He was also accused of racism after expressing support for Enoch Powell, infamous for his 1968 ‘Rivals of Blood’ speech about mass immigration. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

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Taylor, 83, wrote: “His antics and beliefs saw him frozen out by the establishment. He never became a permanent member of the All England Club which, for a player with his record, would usually be guaranteed. In 2023, following further misdemeanours, he was banned from the place altogether.” A Wimbledon spokesperson said: “I’m afraid we don’t comment on our membership.” Mottram is said to have been left deeply saddened by his expulsion. Taylor wrote: “Buster spent more time there than just about anyone else and it’s been very sad to watch his decline and exclusion, even if much of it has been down to his own failings.” Mottram reached a career-high 15th in the world rankings in 1978 and 1983. His best Grand Slam performances were reaching the fourth round at the French Open (1977), the US Open (1980) and Wimbledon (1982).

A young Mottram in action

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