FLAME, set and match! Wimbledon this year could be the hottest EVER.
The UK is set for another heatwave after posting its highest June temperatures for 40 years.
July’s sunshine could see fans sat courtside breaking a sweat – just like their favourite players.
And it’s not only the weather that will be red hot, as a host of this year’s tennis stars are just as popular for their mighty muscles and pert posteriors as their blistering backhands.
Here, NICK PRITCHARD takes a look at this year’s aces who are smash-hits both on and off court.
Eugenie Bouchard, 23
Best quote: “I don’t think the tennis tour is the place to have friends.”
Fun fact: She and her twin sister Beatrice are named after Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s daughters.
Best asset: Her toned thighs.
Dominika Cibulkova, 28
Best quote: “I really like the smell of tennis balls. On court, I just smell them. Maybe it’s for luck.”
Fun fact: Is known for yelling “Pome!” during matches, which translates as “Come on!”
Best asset: Her athletic curves.
Caroline Wozniacki, 26
Best quote: “It would be a good marathon time,” after playing a match that lasted almost three hours against Angelique Kerber.
Fun fact: She used to be engaged to golfer Rory McIlroy.
Best asset: Long legs.
Laura Robson, 23
Best quote: “Some of the tennis girls, they’re sluts. They go with every guy and make a bad name for themselves.”
Fun fact: Marat Safin once declined her invite to the Champions’ Ball.
Best asset: A very pert posterior.
Elina Svitolina, 22
Best quote: “Life is not only about tennis. I love to read. One of my favourite books is Think Like A Champion by Donald Trump.”
Fun fact: She says boxer Wladimir Klitschko is her biggest sporting hero.
Best asset: Toned tum.
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Rafael Nadal, 31
Best quote: “I only ever run if there’s some point to it – say, if it’s in a game of tennis.”
Fun fact: He played Shakira’s love interest in the music video for her single Gypsy in 2009.
Best asset: His bulging biceps.
Tomáš Berdych, 31
Best quote: “I’m not one of the most flexible guys. When you look at Novak Djokovic, you would probably think he’s made of rubber.”
Fun fact: He is married to the Czech model Ester Satorova.
Best asset: Killer quads.
John Isner, 32
Best quote: “To take pressure off, I realise how fortunate I am to play a sport for a living.”
Fun fact: He won the longest match ever played at Wimbledon, lasting 11 hours.
Best asset: He stands a mighty 6ft 10in tall.
Fabio Fognini, 30
Best quote: “The only thing I don’t like is the rules, Wimbledon’s rules. The white colour is one.”
Fun fact: Has a “NMM” tattoo standing for “non mollare mai”, meaning “never give up” in Italian.
Best asset: A rippling six-pack.
David Ferrer, 35
Best quote: “You can write ‘Little Beast’ if you want but my name is David Ferrer.”
Fun fact: Has won titles at all levels except for a grand slam.
Best asset: The long, luscious locks he has sadly now chopped off.
Not a fan of tennis?
1) The latest Marvel superhero movie Spider-man: Homecoming is out on Friday, starring Brit Tom Holland as the webslinger.
2) Who Do You Think You Are is back. The 14th series begins with Charles Dance. Thursday, 9pm, BBC1.
3) The novel Don’t Close Your Eyes, by Holly Seddon, will soon be on sunloungers everywhere. Out Thursday.
4) Hit the theatre to catch touring West End musical Miss Saigon, on in various UK cities.
5) Hidden Figures, about three black women who worked at Nasa in the Sixties, is out on DVD today.
6) Get to the nearest beer garden and chill out with a cold pint.
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