Top 5 Wimbledon dates

The sky is grey and it's raining a lot. Somewhere in South-West London a large amount of people are staring at a bit of canvas covering a tennis court and praying for the sun to come out. Business as usual at Wimbledon. If you've got a date this week, why not embrace the tennis theme and try one of these ideas...

1. Buy some tickets

Seeing as we're already on day 4 of this year's tournament, it's too late to ring up and book tickets. If you happen to have a spare couple lying around then you'll be the hottest date this side of the sun, if you haven't, fear not, for all is not lost. If you really, really want to go you can queue up overnight and bag those golden tickets when the grounds open at 10am the following morning. Chances are you'll be too knackered to enjoy the tennis after a night on the cold, hard pavements of SW19, but your date will be very impressed.

2. Henman Hill

For an easier life and the chance to actually converse with your date rather than nodding off on their shoulder and dribbling all down their best cardigan, take them to Henman Hill. All you have to do is find yourself a space, lay out your picnic and feast your eyes on the big screen. All of the atmosphere, none of the hassle.

3. Have a knock about

If you and your date are sporty types then you'll enjoy playing some tennis more than watching some tennis. Book a court at your local sporting establishment for a few matches of the old pit-pat and then retire to a handy pavilion for a stiff glass of lemon barley water.

4. Watch it in the boozer

It's not just football matches that can ruin a quiet afternoon in the pub anymore, oh no, you can enjoy a slightly more refined bout of shouting at the telly by watching the tennis. A quick footle around the internet will suggest many fine hostelries showing the matches, as well as a selection of big screens in the great outdoors.

5. Eat some strawberries

For some, sitting in a wet chair dressed in a pac-a-mac watching frighteningly intense people shouting 'HHEEEAAUUUUURRGH!' as they wallop balls at each other does not  a joysome date make. This is fair enough, but don't do yourself out of the best bit of Wimbledon: strawberries and cream. Take your date out for dinner and make sure you have some for pudding.

Need a tennis partner? Join now, or sign up a friend for doubles.

Click here to go to mysinglefriend.com