Boris has always loved a bit of bat and ball action. Ahead of the 2012 actions, the Mayor famously remarked: “I stand by my assertion that whiff-whaff and ping-pong are one and the same thing, with the ‘whiffs’ predating the ‘pongs’. Regardless of semantics though, it is a sport of which we should be proud and I look forward to watching it in 2012.”
And, earlier this year, the Mayor was challenged to a game of whiff-whaff by none other than the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister, Pippa Middleton. Writing in the Spectator, Ms Middleton said: “I’m informed that Boris Johnson, former editor of this magazine, wants to be ‘whiff-whaff’ world king even more than he wants to be Prime Minister.I’m also told the Johnsons are almost as competitive as the Middletons.
“So I’d like to lay down a challenge to the Mayor.My only stipulation is that I can use my favourite Dunlop Blackstorm Nemesis bat, which I used when I played in the Milton Keynes U13 National Championships, don’t you know.
“Bring it on, Boris.”
While that monumental sporting occasion has yet to take place, Bozza is set to ditch the table in favour of a larger form of whiff-whaff when he joins a host of stars for a charity tennis match [‘Thimp-thump’? – Boriswatch Sports Ed] at the Queen’s Club.
The Rally against Cancer event will follow the final of the Aegon Championships on 16 June. Andy Murray and former British number one Tim Henman are set to face each other in a special doubles match with celebrities – including Michael McIntyre, Jonathan Ross, Sir Richard Branson, Eddie Redmayne and the Mayor of London – rotating as their partners.