Tennis

Wimbledon hawk could clip Sharapova's wings

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-27 08:40

Playing in a dress that looks like a swan could be Maria Sharapova's downfall at Wimbledon this year -- if the All England Club's hawk mistakes her for the real thing.

A hawk is released to fly around the grounds every morning during the championships to frighten off any pigeons.

"Does the hawk usually bite the swan? Jesus, I might have to cut those pleats away," the 2004 champion joked at a news conference on Tuesday.

Sharapova has been sporting a white dress with frills on the bottom and wing-like ones down the back, the latest in a series of creative outfits the keen designer has worn on court.