wimbledon diary - july 5

Roddick - Scrabble fan.

Andy Roddick's press conferences are usually good value, and the American lived up to expectations following his win over Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Asked if he would have any problems coming back for a Wimbledon final next week due to the bad weather, Roddick joked: "I don't have much of a life outside of what you're seeing here.

"I wouldn't mind it. I've got nothing to do at home.

"Hell, let's just play Wimbledon for like, 12 weeks a year!"

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And there was more welcome good news for beleaguered All England Club officials when Venus Williams revealed she was happy to be a lowly 23rd seed.

Williams has won Wimbledon three times but is ranked just 31st in the world after struggling with form and fitness this season.

Being seeded so low meant a fourth-round meeting with second seed Maria Sharapova, but Williams was unsurpisingly in a forgiving mood after thrashing the Russian 6-1 6-3.

"In my life I've never asked for anything, I go out and work for it," Williams said.

"I've never asked the All England Club to put me on any court, or any seeding or anything.

"I'm willing to get my racket out there and play. I was okay with whatever they did to be honest."

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Former champion Jimmy Connors has revealed how Roddick copes with rain delays - Scrabble.

He said: "He handles it pretty well for a hyper kid. We sit there and play Scrabble.

"I haven't got 100 points yet, it says something for my lack of vocabulary."

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Novak Djokovic staked a claim for the best mannered player at this year's Championships.

After beating Nicolas Kiefer to set up a fourth round tie against Lleyton Hewitt, he opened his press conference with the gambit: "Sorry I'm late."

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Guus Hiddink was an interested observer of yesterday's action.

The Russia coach, who last month dismissed reports linking him with the vacant manager's job at Manchester City, was well dressed for the occasion - complete with obligatory umbrella.