PARIS, May 31: Former champion Venus Williams believes Wimbledon’s decision to stop players curtseying to the royal box will dent the tradition of the event.

“I don’t know why they did that,” the American, champion in 2000 and 2001 said at Roland Garros on Saturday.

“I am disappointed. I think the best part about Wimbledon is the history and the tradition. That’s so nice, the curtsey.

“I actually taught a few players to curtsey on the way up to the court, to the centre court.

“Some of the players have never played on centre before. I’d have to show them what to do.”

Wimbledon said last month that players will be excused from making the gesture to members of the Royal Family and visiting dignitaries, apart from the Queen and Prince Charles.

The Queen has not attended the tournament since her Silver Jubilee year of 1977 when she presented the women’s singles trophy to Briton Virginia Wade.

The move follows a request from All England Club President, the Duke of Kent, to cease the tradition in line with common practice elsewhere.

Last year Venus lost in the final to younger sister Serena, who is likely to remain the last player to perform the archaic gesture on tennis’s most famous stage.

Men will no longer be requested to bow to the royal box.—Reuters