Men's and Ladies' Doubles Finals Wimbledon

Bristol is a national programme. We are going to argue over to

Wimbledon. Larkham to Wimbledon on ladies

finals day. This was the moment that guy been a good loser was cloned

-- Muguruza. She lost two years ago to Serena Williams and today she

took on a player who inspired her as a youngster. Venus Williams so

sporting in defeat. Muguruza is the new champion at Wimbledon. She has

played so well throughout the Championships, and the dropping a

set. She saved two said points in the first set and raised through the

second set. The crowd rise to a new star. Her coach Conchita Martinez

absolutely delighted. Only the second Spanish woman to win the

title at Wimbledon. We will be hoping to speak to Muguruza so on.

We are heading back to Centre Court for the men's doubles. We can show

you what happened in the set point in the third set. Marcelo Melo and

Lukasz Kubot serving. Mail and Kubot take the boat set. It is Oliver

Marach and Mate Pavic serving. Let us join the commentators John Lloyd,

Peter Fleming and Mark Petchey. He has only hit two lobs. But they

have both been spectacularly good. One on a break point that really

turned the tide in their favour and this one made of the same. That was

a terrific pick-up. The lob was simply better.

For the first time we feel as though Kubot took a calculated risk in the

tie-break sitting on his full rant with a terrific return but here we

have another very big point. What will Marakh decide to do? That

works. Terrific serve. Kubot pretty certain that was where

the serve was going. Interesting that they decided on the

tie-break to stand back, but they have not done it in open play, and

why they thought then it was a good idea and subsequently haven't. Very

interesting. Because service games like this just

build your confidence. That was some response by Kubot. He

got so much pace on the ball. Completely surprised Marakh. Yes. In

a service game like that it does not matter where you are standing,

you're not breaking serve. Often it is good to get your opponent to

think a little. Get them out of their comfort zone. What is this?

Maybe we should try something different. You have already

succeeded if you get that response. Yes, on that last serve, a good

example of why doubles on grass is difficult. It is difficult to break

serve because you often get slightly erratic bounces.

The ninth ace of the match, the 77th of the tournament. Just 32 for Kubot

and properly which, considering how well the serve, is not a lot.

The trainer working on the top part of the need for Marakh. I guess that

would be the quad. Perhaps the quadriceps tendon down there. It

certainly does not seem to be impairing him much. He is still

getting around the court pretty quickly.

Smiles from the team, still enjoying the challenge ahead of them.

It has been a while coming that that is the first volley from Melo in

particular. Then he was cautious with that one

as well after the miss on the first point. Here is a chance. Yes, and

that time Marakh to just a little off of the return, I load the ball

to drop. When you rip the returns as he has done throughout this match

you give your opponents waist high volleys. He made sure he got that

serve in. Sometimes you feel like this profile of hitting the ball is

hard as you can it does not get to utilise scoreboard pressure. If you

never make your opponent play on a big point like that in some ways you

never get to know how composed they are. It seemed like a decent play

maybe even to drop back, get both of them on the baseline, give yourself

more time. Good serve. It checked a little bit,

that ball. Yeah, it is virtually impossible to return a serve that

hits the service line. The ball just checks and it is impossible to time

it properly. He invented a shot. An overhead lob.

It was unbelievably successful. Kubot trying to help his partner

out. Just claimed his move slightly wrong. He has made it. Nothing wrong

with the timing off of the return. Beirut back into this final beckons

for Marakh and Pavic. I thought that I'd got away from him a little bit

but he reacted well. Just connected with a couple of

forehands. Out of this world. That could have been Novak Djokovic.

He left hand of Novak hitting that return, perfectly timed.

Too good, too much power, that was vicious from Marek but his partner

set it up well for him. Yeah, it and again Marakh's backhand mate have

had the fence but he could not get out of the way. That was a rocket.

The Croatian is on fire. Cannot put a foot wrong at the moment.

Kubot this time response. 120 Zevon. Marakh challenging the call. They

have touched 130 today. Some nice finishing touches to a

again a stunning return from Kubot who is matching Pavic's achievement

in the last game. Lovely passage of play between these two teams right

now. Did not need to hit that that hard.

If he is staying at home you lose the point anyway. See if you cannot

put it into play. It does not have to be an out late winner.

They break back. Quality game from Kubot. His partner was calling out.

I think he was correct. Prudence made the day and he made it anyway

just to be sure. Breaks traded for the first time today. How could you

possibly have predicted this? Two breaks on a roll, the way they have

been serving. Yet, the second serve was short. In the middle of the box.

I suppose the longer this match wears on the more fatigued or four

players' nerves become and serves that they might have hit in the

first set or two where they might have taken a risk are now falling by

the wayside. Those serves... They are more worried about double

faulting, so allowing the return teams to get their rackets on a few

more returns. Intrigued building with those couple of breaks.

Certainly the Croatian can remain after the last game, a bit of food

for thought for Kubot and Melo. That was a quality second serve,

continuing where you left off in the previous game. That has been one of

the big differences between the two. Kubot and Melo winning over 60% of

their points on the second serve compared to just over 40% for their

opponents. He is not missing at the moment on

the return. Yeah, but I do not understand why they persist with

that formation when you have a right-hander who is able to serve

though serve out wide. Play orthodox so he cannot does push the ball up

the line, make him go crosscourt in front of the net. It is not an easy

shot to hit. A good volley from Melo. Yes, again it was a net court.

This is just breathtaking returning. Every single one has been a winner

or has found the shoelaces of Kubot or Melo as they have come in and raw

power this time delivered to the ball from Pavic. We have seen Marach

hit some beautiful forehands today. Took too long between the serve. Too

much time to think about that serve. It is more the quality of returning

than any real change in strategy from the team of Pavic and Maric

that has contributed to that. You need to get the other team to think

a little bit brother than just playing on instinct though it has

been the quality that has forced them to think. They changed their

position and you could see Kubot looked very nervous about that

second serve. Once again Kubot struck the returns

venomously but right at the net men. Easily put away.

From Pavic, on the line. How cool we did he put away that overhead? --

coolly. There is no doubt that Pavic has

been the best player on court the last four, five games. He has gone

up a level. It is amazing to think he peaked at 295 in the world in

2013 in singles. He never finished a year higher than 317 in the world.

When you see him hit the ball as beautifully as he has at times.

And having dropped their serve and gaining the break for the first time

in the fourth set, that is an impressive sequence of games. Both

players, both teams have been taken the distance in the run through to

the Wimbledon final and both will feel confident, if and when we get

to a deciding set. Of course, there will be no tie-breaker. Who knows

how epic this meant's doubles final will end up proving to be? Still

work to be done in the fourth set. He is absolutely everywhere at the

moment, isn't he? He mistimed that. There was concern

about Pavic coming into the match, whether he had hurt his hand in the

semifinals. We have not seen any sight of that but that one certainly

stung the Austrian. How is this returning Chris Nike is not missing

now! He is just timing the ball. -- how is this returning?. It is great

returning. But, again, he is catching its late. Serve it wide,

force him to stretch and see if you can get crosscourt. That is not

easy. He gave him the total off pace

balls. He was all over it, also. He missed

his target by about two grommet three inches, otherwise it would

have been a brutal return. -- by about two, three inches.

Getting fluid on board as he takes the balls from the ball boy. As he

lines up to try to take this meant's doubles final into a fifth and

deciding set. Good hands. Could have thought he

hit a winner on the first. Prepared for the next that came at him and

put that away. A good point. Just the third stubble for the team.

More than offsetting that with 11 aces.

A couple of points, being vigilant with the ball coming back from a

somewhat surprising situation. Just shy of three hours in the match and

we have a couple of set points. And it will be a fifth and deciding

set that determines the winner of the men's doubles competition here

at the Wimbledon Championships. Not a lot of need for Hawk-Eye, off the

final return from Melo which hit the canvas on-the-fly. They were

favourites coming into this final. The number four seeds. Kubot and

Melo but you have to say that Marach and Pavic of the form players,

through the fourth set and they were fantastic. When you consider the

percentage of first serves made by Kubot and Melo, the fact they were

broken twice will be concerning and may be for the first time in this

match, they need to change their strategy to protect their serve.

They did not need to change anything in the first three sets, but now you

feel they need to think about things differently. Yes, I could not agree

more. Interesting. I suppose Pavic just hack to go, because why would

you go in that situation? You have been dominant and now you allow your

opponent a break to pull themselves together. It has been a constant

cause debate, the bathroom breaks at the end of sets and medical

time-outs taken in matches. You kind of feel the only way you can

possibly govern them is by literally having one free one each, a medical

time-out and a bathroom break at the end of a set, and the next one you

take, you lose a point. Do you need to go, or just use it to compose

yourself? There is one of the great names and personalities in the world

of tennis. How many years we loved listening to John Barrett on the

BBC. His wife in front of him to the left, Angela Mortimer Barrett, the

winner here in... Way back when. 61, I bet it was. Is that a guess? I

think it was 61. Australian Open in 58, French Open in 55. Just the

semifinal at the US Open in 1961. You looked that up quickly, Peter.

Quick recall, John. This man is a whizz around computers. People find

their way affectively around the Centre Court for the next 45

minutes, one hour, or more. No tie-breaker to decide it. The

winner takes all. Perhaps he expected the return to be

struck with a little more power. That time, Pavic did a nice job of

just feeling it. It dropped well inside the baseline.

The statement of intent made by Kubot. It was a stronghold. Plenty

of volume in terms of the come ons. Huw -- huge intensity out there.

Good to see Rod labour in attendance for the men's doubles final. Great

to see him around the grounds. It adds to the occasion. How many great

champions had Rod Labour as their idol growing up? A lot. -- Rod Laver

as their idol? So many great champions. A couple of the really

great players of tennis have almost taken back to a different level,

becoming almost artists rather than athletes on the court and you

certainly felt Rod Laver was one of those.

Arguably a man who is taking to the court tomorrow can be in the same

category in what he has achieved over the years. What he has given to

the crowds around the globe, as well.

That spurred Kubot on to a needy hot streak. He is certainly capable of

it. There is not a lot you can do about

that. A perfectly placed volley. Short

enough so that Kubot could barely reach it.

A good point, very good point. Excellent volley Abba net.

-- an excellent volley at the net. Calm at the net. Good angles.

It is going to be fascinating to see what makes a difference between

these teams because you have seen a little bit of everything. Some will

argue that experience wins and certainly this team have that. There

account is heavily in favour than the team they are playing against,

but who knows? Nude experience of being here

-- the inexperience of being here in this situation perhaps allows them

to play more freely. You think perhaps Pavic has been the deciding

factor in how things have unfolded. If he can continue the hot streak he

has hand, he is going to be offering up chances. They did have an epic

semifinal. 17-15, Melo and Pavic. Did that take a little more out of

their legs than the team they are taking on today?

Spectacular reactions here. Good anticipation as to where the

overhead might go. Beautifully guided return from

Kubot. You do feel that serve, if you can

get pressure on the service game and create that moment when we saw in

the fourth, when the double fault came, they could be the possibility

it would come again. He lost to the rhythm completely, Kubot.

We had that brief sequence of games in the fourth with a couple of

breaks and a real shift in momentum. This fifth set is unfolding in a

similar fashion to the opening three with utter dominance on serve, so

far, from both teams. It really is a waiting game, John, in terms of

opportunities that have presented themselves throughout the match.

Exactly. Business as usual in this first five games. Nobody has got

ahead in the game on the returning side. As we get closer to the

business end, and we are almost getting there, then the pressure

mounts, when you are that close to winning your first Wimbledon title.

And then we might see serves getting shorter and double faults thrown in

and someone take charge. Pavic did on that amazing run he had when he

opened up his shoulders and was hitting winners all over the place.

Do you think it will happen tonight? Probably not. Remember, we have an

11pm curfew. Two pretty accurate serves to start

off this game. You do not want to be playing this

game is your reactions are just a little dull. Could be dangerous.

Just missed three out of the team first serves in this final set. We

have been here before when we haven't been expecting a break of

serve and all of a sudden it comes out of nowhere and that could well

be what happens again but Melo making good use of the new balls, he

phoned his spots spectacularly. Melo getting a little bit of instruction

about which way to go for the return. Looking almost as if it was

to the backhand side, to cover the backhand side with the first serve

coming down. 11 is attempted winning Wimbledon for Melo. He has been in

the final in 2013. This will be Kubot's 12 time.

Perseverance pays off in the end. Which of these two teams have

persevered and will ultimately walk away with the glory?

Just over swung at that return. That second serve was 91 which was OK but

it was straight mac in the middle of the service box. Certainly

returnable. Spectacular return that time from

Melo. At full stretch. Melo did an amazing job of being

able to control that ball that was coming at him with such velocity.

Visual and audio effects. True surround sound. A little bit

exaggerated. They threw everything at that game,

Melo and Kubot, but ultimately came away with nothing.

Good moving. Very good moving. Managed to get on top of that one

quick. So the chip coming. Took two quickstep sound punch that one away.

Yeah, nicely played, little dead shot from Maric to keep the ball

low. That took a bit of courage to make

that serve because he took all of the pays off of it. Marach ended up

serving in early at the ball and did not get the pace he was looking for

in the return. Good cross he made there. That was a

high volley for him to go across on. He gambled. Kubot should have done

more with the volley relief. Yet, but it is a difficult one to pull

the trigger on in that situation. You want to be careful with it. He

had a good look at that return. The box believe that I of relief.

Edgy moments for Kubot and Melo to get through. It looked as though

Pavic was finding his range on the returns and getting onto everything

but a terrific serve from Kubot at 30-30 into the body...

This would in many ways be his finest moment. He won in Australia

in 2014. Melo also a Grand Slam winner. Pavic won the mixed doubles

last year. Of course the scoreboard giving Kubot and Melo a slight

advantage because any break points they reached will be match points.

That is never fun. To serve when you are going match points in the final

set. Just a little delay in the rhythm.

The pressure is at its maximum. That can contribute to moments like that.

Good reactions. Also some clean living. Beyond belief. Yes, he

wasn't there, just stuck his racket out of the last second. Nice step.

You just wonder whether the problem he has been having with his legs and

is the fourth set and the mass outing and just above his knee and

his quad, if you can keep here serving, maybe he is not getting up

as much as he was earlier in the match. Yes, and of course the left

knee is the one that does all of the jumping. You jump on the left knee

and land on it so it is taking some punishment.

That was a good serve. 101 on the second serve. Melo clearly was

distracted by the move that Pavic made.

Kubot has got the bit between his teeth. He has had the luxury of

getting a few more second serves. Melo if he can find something hell

is going to increase the pressure on this man exponentially. He is

struggling to find first serves. He desperately wants a free point.

Thing is getting very complicated. I was going to say, he is taking a

long time. Brilliantly read by Kubot. Nice

creativity when he got there. The short forehand is good in theory

perhaps but in practice did not get the job done.

He may well look to the heavens. That was much closer than he

intended it to be. Both teams have been here already at

this tournament, deep into a fifth set. But this has the extra

incentive and the extra pressure of having a Wimbledon title attached to

it, whoever comes out on top in the end, and Kubot and Melo are

potentially very close to winning this. More work ahead of them on

serve. You get the feeling that most of the

10,000 people still left in Centre Court have invested three and a half

hours in this match and now is the payback.

He has made it. That is just outrageous. The pace that he hit it

with coupled with the angle. What a pick-up from Melo. That was a

great move. That was lovely doubles. Rather than committing his weight

forward he held his balance so he could move one way or the other.

Just so much fun to watch. Great angle from Melo, just taking

the racket out of Marach's hands. It has been his best serve, that one

out wide, the backhand side. That does not augur well for us

getting home tonight. At 11pm. We will be postponed and have to come

back tomorrow. Think how well the other team had served when you think

about the last game be played and the length of it and they had to

endure before safely coming through in the end. They will be looking for

something a little less problematic here.

Apologises but would love three more of these. If the tennis gods are on

his side, who is he to argue? This is the moment they have been

working for and patiently waiting for. Produced by some wonderful

returns. The first helped by good fortune. The last couple have been

absolutely sensational. It is two championship points for Kubot and

Marach. Heart in the mouth for both sides.

Could Melo have done any more with the shot before that. Don't believe

he had that much time. A courageous second serve, as well.

If they had more of a chance on the first one, there was no chance for

Kubot on that. The perfect delivery. What an end to a game that had

everything in it. Quality all the way through, championship points,

but, ultimately, another hold of serve. And how positively will Kubot

and Melo react? UMPIRE: Mr Kubot challenging the

call. The ball was called out. Two I'd definitely better than one

of them, two racquets were better, they shovelled the back cover, in

fact, it was Kubot who managed to get his string onto the ball, they

both went for it, he was all over the place. -- shovelled it back

over. So much raw emotion in these

moments, so many different stories to get through, so money stages of

winning major titles. -- so many stages.

The shoe is on the other foot, Kubot is feeling the pressure.

They are going to get a warning here also, if they are not careful. There

has been a long time between points. Kubot responding in a similar

fashion as Pavic in the previous game, although with a championship

point staring him in the face, he delivered an ace. Bringing the best

out of each other. One of the biggest stages, if not

the biggest stage in the world and everything on the line. And those

last two players, Kubot and Pavic, in the service games, have produced

some fantastic serving. And we continue to be enthralled by this

Men's Doubles final. Kubot electing to not even sit down. Aidan Turner

and Bartoli continuing to talk about many of the permutations that could

still occur here. Virginia Wade. Continuing to witness

this drama unfolding. Barracudas struggled in his previous game, he

will be looking for a few more free points. Which he does not get on the

opening point of the game. One of the best backhand returns the final.

It looked like he had quite a bit of time, he was onto that forehand.

That was a time to play, to see how nervous your opponent is right now.

Like you said before, it does not matter how hard, he will still lose

the point is, pulled out in, see what happens. -- pull it in.

Well, that is a full-blooded swing, that return, he connected perfectly

and that beats Pavic as he crosses perfectly.

Calm as you like. There is ice in his veins.

Well, one continues to wonder what the catalyst for victory will be for

either of these teams, over one hour has gone in the final set alone.

Four hours, ticking over. And we are kept guessing. Who will be the

victor is out here? -- victors. Kubot apologises and he apologises

for a long time. They are playing in good spirit, in this final and Pavic

was right, that ball was travelling out but it was travelling at to

quickly apace. To get out of the way. It certainly got a lot cooler

than it was in the middle of the day and also a lot darker, we are about

ten minutes past eight in the evening and blankets are being

passed around in the Royal box. We need some of them down here! I am

just wondering at what stage they will make a decision in terms of

closing the roof and putting the lights on and all that. On a clear

day,... Nine o'clock? But it is not clear at all today. Therefore, it

might be closer to half past eight. I was on court to when Curry was

playing Jo Wilfried Tsonga and at a quarter past eight on a nice

evening, we thought this will we get done tonight, added five minutes to

nine, it was much too dark. There will be some discussions about what

to do. Maybe one of these teams will take the decision out of their

hands. Deft touch. That bounced like

sandbag! It is amazing how close to the net... Almost leaning over.

Right on top of the net. He had a few ciders, but with that

motion, you question whether that will stack up on a break point, it

is a very flat trajectory and for the most part it does work. But if

Marach and Pavic can get themselves to that break point situation, it

might just crack. -- a few sighters. It has dropped in. It looked like

they were out of trouble and that was a miraculous pick-up from Kubot.

He just did not do enough of that. The back edge.

And backs to the wall stuff for Kubot and Melo.

What a point he played there! His nerves! The first volley, I think,

was quite deep. And that was also very deep.

Inspirational play. Three break points. The first one is saved in

routine fashion but there is nothing routine about the situation they

find themselves in. That is a stunning serve. Credit to

Kubot, the weather Pavic is playing, that felt like it was the only way

they could where they could win the point, just not allowing them to

touch it. -- the way that Pavic is playing.

That is great serving. Just questioning whether the technique

would hold up, they answered that affirmatively.

That second service lacked just a bit of nerve, into the middle of the

box. And Pavic had a wonderful return, back at his feet.

Well, it was good scrambling but he was never really in the point after

the return and again, credit to Kubot are finding that terrific

first serve when he needed it the most. -- for finding.

I am not sure what happened. It was nowhere near the line. It didn't

come through, as he expected it. UMPIRE: Time violation warning,

Kubot and Melo. Quite right. Break points have come and gone. And Kubot

and Melo hang on. Now, legitimately, both teams feel they could be

Wimbledon champions, no matter what way this end -- this ends up going,

that was courage under fire, Kubot and Bella. Finding that ace at

15-40. Returning spectacularly well, he was back in the groove. Once

again, Kubot just not wanting to sit down and he is keeping himself warm.

Rod Laver will enjoy what he is watching. He knows what it takes to

play with courage when your back is against the wall. To play your best

tennis when everyone else, including yourself, is potentially doubting

it. This is unknown territory for both teams, they have never even

played each other before. No one here has a Wimbledon title to their

name and they desperately seek one of them.

Nice volleying. Unfortunately, their opponents cover every inch of the

court. That was a good follow. Full

stretch, Billy Strong, nudging that one. As soon as March held his

ground, he was in trouble. -- really strong.

Pavic, just in front of us, starting to flex his left leg or his left

hip, I do not know whether he tweaked that or if he was in some

degree of pain... Neither team has flinched in the

final set. It took a long time to develop the

last half set has been fascinating. There was nothing on that serve at

all. Against that grimace, he has to

serve next, he would dearly love to do that with a break in the bank as

well. He may not get that luxury. He has not always find that accuracy

down the T, but he did that time, when he needed that the most, great

response from Melo. He struggles on the backhand side,

if you get in there with pace, he can almost always only go down the

line or inside the doubles line, but Melo is once again directing the

traffic at a decent velocity, 117 out wide and the 0-30 lead has

vanished. Courage, calmness and precision on

serve from Melo, he digs his team out of trouble, that was a lightning

start from Pavic in that game and look at that, they are not dead even

on the scoreboard but in terms of total points one. And again, we

continue to wonder and wait to see what the difference will be. It is

amazing to think that as a team, March and Pavic have yet to win any

title together. They have individually, but not together and,

well, if they were to do it here, in the circumstances, it would be quite

something. I wonder if they have thought about closing the roof,

producing, I would think. Half past eight at night, we certainly do not

have that much more good light to play, there is no blue sky.

With it so finely balanced here, it would take a brave decision to stop

it right now, for shore. They will have to go to the last second and

hope against hope somehow it finishes.

Getting those second serves in the strike zone. Melo. Middle of the

net. And still they continued to

entertain. A good move in from Melo, keeping the ball low, but great

vision here from Marach. He said it is not the same, it is

not the same when it is not sunny. They want it to close now, I think.

As tough as it is to pick up the serve, as the light fades, it is

perhaps even tougher to pick up the first volley when it comes back at

that pace. Both teams are suffering a little bit here.

Did they get the signals wrong? They must have.

Both guys moving in the same direction. Yes. Just kicked in at 96

mph, giving extra time to get the racket through the shot and drag it

back crosscourt. Blanket coverage of the match

continues. 11-10 in the final set. STUDIO: We will cover this live on

BBC Two. The lights can come on after the roof closes and it can

continue until 11pm. The longest men's final was 19-17. The

tournament referee is chatting to the players to see whether they can

keep going for another two games. If they can, they will try to get the

match concluded and then close the roof. There is another final to come

after this, the ladies' doubles final. Today at Wimbledon will not

be happening but we will try in the gaps between the matches to bring

the highlights of the fabulous singles final between the women.

Garbine Muguruza and Venus Williams. But this match continues so I hand

you over to Mark Petchey, Peter Fleming and John Lloyd.

The gentleman on the court having a word with the umpire, you sense it

might have been a precursor for this game to be the final one before the

roof is shut and the lights come on. It is 8:37pm.

But, who knows? That may be the start of something special here for

Kubot and Melo. He was there. He tried to cut it as

finely as possible over the top of the dart-macro to keep it alone.

Such a good move from Pavic. His forehand return has been down the

line, but he had the courage to cut off the crosscourt return after the

Brazilian hit a pretty good one. And there he is again. Alert and

agile after over four and a half hours.

And this is it, isn't it? Yes. You would expect the players to leave

the court while this happens. UMPIRE: Ladies and gentlemen, play

is suspended for approximately ten minutes while the roof is closed.

STUDIO: While the roof closes let us take this opportunity to recapture

on a wonderful day of tennis. We have to go back to 1908 since a

37-year-old won the ladies' championship, Charlotte Cooper

Sterry stop Venus Williams was trying to emulate her, playing

Garbine Muguruza, 14 years her junior. Would age, experience or

youth win the day? You reach the last round and feel,

what I am doing is right. I have a lot to give. I am a glass half full

kind of person. It is 50-50, the chances. I have another opportunity

and have to do my best with it. It is not over till it's over. It was

the ninth time Venus had taken this walk. She did not look at pictures

of herself on the walls. She knows how to cope with days like these,

how to win matches like this. For Muguruza, a

second Wimbledon final. Last time she said it went by so fast against

the younger Williams. Venus makes the most of time. She delayed a few

moments, as if to emphasise she is the queen around here. The wait was

worth it because what followed was truly extraordinary.

And again, come the big moments in big games, the noise increases and

the powerless. The decibels level went up. Brilliant hitting from

both. It was well long and she is trying

to impose her will and presence, Williams. She knows the pressure

Muguruza is under. Forehand error again from the

Spaniard. Williams two points away. And a mistake, again, and it is the

first serve of Muguruza that has disappeared and gives Williams the

two set points. And a rally in. She could not do it

at the end and Muguruza holds firm. Still one more to go. Clearly, Venus

was targeting the forehand. As she should. Muguruza impressively held

steady. What a time to find that first serve

again from Muguruza. There was a sigh of relief.

The forehand worked well in that rally for Muguruza.

And that is how to stand up to set points. Muguruza played so well.

They know how important that was. Not afraid of a double fault, it is

part of her game. But it does put the pressure on.

I think she is going to challenge. Yes. And a big moment. It is worth

challenging. My goodness! It is not even close! The linesman today are

tighter than the players. Everyone is feeling the pressure.

She fell on her heels and lost her balance. When you get nervous, your

feet sometimes get tangled and that is what happened there.

Both players struggling on the forehand side. Suddenly, from having

two set points in the previous game, Williams is facing break point.

Wow. This is a nervy game for both players. They both have the same

weakness at the moment, the fragility in their forehand.

There will be another chance for Garbine Muguruza.

First blood to Garbine Muguruza. And William suddenly looks a little bit

weaker. Muguruza still has two survey it out, but what a position

she is aided in this final. -- she has to serve it out.

Wow. That is tremendous from Venus and the movement to get up to it

quickly and time it so well. Indecisive on this one. It was very

tough. Down at Muguruza's feet. The crowd gasp as they thought

Muguruza went long. But she gets away with it. She had control in the

first part of the set, but now hers has gone off.

She went for it on the final forehand, Williams, but it is

Muguruza getting closer. They are very physical rallies. The movement,

the explosive first step. How did she get that ball? It could

be the shot of the set. For all the world, Venus Williams was in control

of the rally and then she bowed her head as she watched this land in the

corner. Two set points for Muguruza. Still fighting. Venus had two set

points earlier. Muguruza one left. And Muguruza has the first set in

this final. STUDIO: Muguruza saving set points

and taking the set 7-5. We're going back to centre core for live tennis

because the final of the men's doubles has just resumed. We can be

join Mark Petchey, Fleming, and John Lloyd.

It was a quick warm up. No real warm up, to be honest. So difficult

perhaps for the players off the return straightaway. They came up,

warmed up their serve and got on with it.

The ball boy tripping up over the canvas towards a photographer, who

threw it back. It hit the front of his lens.

A strange start on the restart. For next week's was number one, Marcelo

Melo. 100 minutes this final set has taken

already. One wonders how deep into the evening we can go. We have

another couple of hours this could've feasibly go. Melo did well

on that game. The resumption is always difficult. But he served

well. Some good volleys from his partner to back him up and now

pressure switches to the other side of the court. And I would say

another couple of hours is highly feasible. It has a tendency, the

roof, to make things slower at times and I wonder if that will help both

teams. To create more opportunities. Slotted it into the space with

precision. And then moved in behind it. He has done that a few times. A

good start to the game. Unbelievable fortune for Melo. Not

even trying to disguise how happy he is about it. They had a couple of

championship points earlier in the set. They will have three more now.

What a remarkable victory for Melo and Kubot. Winning Wimbledon for the

first time as a team and in quite simply astonishing fashion.

We thought the match could go along into the night. The celebration is

certainly well. He is world number one once next week. He has already

have that number next to his name once before in 2015 and 2016. Kubot,

who won the Australian Open in 2014, is now the Wimbledon champion. And

Melo adds to his title in Roland Garros will stop but let's spare a

thought for the other two players in this magnificent final who end up

the runners up, who played more than their fair share in the drama that

unfolded over the last four hours and 41 minutes. Those are not tears

of joy under their 4-3. -- Pavic. But what a performance from the

Croatian and the Austrian. What a resumption. Did they lose a point on

the resumption? Did Melo lose one point on his serve? Spectacular

serving and then even more dynamic returning to break and win the

title. Fabulous scenes there were Lukasz

Kubot and Marcelo Melo. We will be back to see the trophy presentation

later on. We will be showing, the single's final. We were updating you

on what happened earlier on the final during the final of the

Ladies' Singles final. I am so impressed with the weight

Muguruza was able to stay so positive and find her forehand

again. Because that is what she has been struggling with since winning

the French. It has been a little bit more erratic and inconsistent. That

is what stood out during these championships. Much more reliable

ground strokes. No sign of any lack of power at the

start of the second set from Venus Williams.

An interested observer somewhere in the world will be Serena Williams.

Maybe she can't bear to watch it live, she will watch it on tape

later. She might not want to watch it if it continues to go the way of

the Spaniard. Just cannot afford to miss neutral

balls like that. Right at the start of the second

set, Venus Williams in all sorts of trouble.

Blistering back and says Venus Williams on that occasion. Some

heavy hitting from both players here at the moment.

Too many mistakes from Venus Williams at the moment. Too deep in

the court. Muguruza is controlling court position here. As hard as

Williams is hitting it. Challenge from Muguruza. A big

decision for our virtual friends. Good challenge. She shook her head

emphatically. It is a huge turn of events from an ace to losing your

serve. Gabine Muguruza it is firmly in control of this final now.

That is lovely from Venus Williams. That was a difficult half-volley.

Beautiful hands and feel to gently caress that. I don't know if it is

physical or she's lost a bit of spirit, but she doesn't seem to have

as much energy, Williams. Some uncomfortable speeds to deal with.

The winners, the energy coming from Muguruza now. The energy coming from

the Spaniard is tiring out Venus Williams at the moment. I don't see

a whole lot emanating from the American's side.

This is a must hold, can't go down the double break.

Too good. This match is slipping away from Venus Williams. Muguruza

is plain wonderful tennis. Break point again.

And Muguruza housing, has the double break. Surely has one hand on this

trophy? -- has it. Suddenly this court, where she has

had so much success must be a very dark place.

24 unforced errors now. Just 11 from Muguruza.

It is painful to watch if you are a supporter of Venus Williams. But she

is wilting here. Woody Harrelson, watching on. Anyway, three break

points for Garbine Muguruza. And the crowd, trying to lift their

favourite, this great champion. She is in a very deep hole.

And the end surely is coming quickly. Muguruza with a

stranglehold on this match. It not over yet, but Williams already looks

a beaten figure. Garbine Muguruza, to step out onto Centre Court, to

serve for the Ladies' Singles championship.

Goodness. You want to see this title taken, you don't want to see a meek

surrender. I think we are seeing both. The

combination is going to make it six love in the second.

Everything is with her now and there is noise inside Centre Court, but

just one more point for Garbine Muguruza and it will all be hers.

It might end on this. The umpire says it's good, so the challenge. I

hope it doesn't end this way. It doesn't, so we will play again.

We will have to wait just a little bit longer. Two more chances.

This challenge might end this way. We look to the challenge, we look to

the screen. Garbine Muguruza, if it is long she is the champion. It is

and it is a sorry way for this final two end, but what a victory for

Garbine Muguruza. She is the Wimbledon champion and tears of this

spare a couple of beers ago as she lost to Serena Williams. But

overwhelming joy now as she is the champion. And the sad end to Venus

Williams who played so well throughout this championship and

promised so much. But all the smiles belonged to Garbine Muguruza, the

moment is hers, the title belongs to the Spaniard.

A day to savour but Garbine Muguruza. She said she was

determined to enjoy this moment. And lifting the Venus rose water dish

and seeing her name. And look at how many times it says Williams, either

Serena or Venus. It is rare for anybody else to live this trophy.

She came out to packed crowds on the balcony. Unfortunately, they took

the trophy away from her. She said it was all too soon. She hadn't had

time to hold it in her hands for long enough. Only the second

Spaniard since Conchita Martinez in 1994 to win Wimbledon. And there is

the woman who has helped her through this fortnight. She has come through

with the loss of only one set and the only person to beat Venus

Williams six love in a set here at Wimbledon. The trophy presentation

has been happening but the Men's Doubles. The Duke of Kent, President

of the All-England Club and executive, making the presentation

to Kubot from Poland and Melo from Brazil. On the presentation has

happened but the Girls' Singles champion and for the first time in

25 years it has been won by an American. The third seed who beat

her fellow American. Clare lives the trophy and very shortly, on centre,

there is still another final to come, because we will be showing the

final of the Ladies' Doubles final. The roof is now close. On centre,

those players will be appearing shortly. We can find out what Venus

Williams said after her defeat in the final. Venus, commiserations,

how would you sum up the challenge posed by Garbine Muguruza today? I

have never played her on grass, so it was a different experience. She

played really well. It was a wonderful two weeks for me. I don't

have any complaints, she played amazing. Do you think we

underestimated just how difficult it would be to win a Grand Slam title

at the age of 37? I am thinking more about what I need to accomplish, I

don't necessarily think what other people think. Or your age? Not at

all. You had to set points which is very high quality and very

competitive, at the end of the first set, what do you remember? I try to

win those points, obviously. She played some amazing tennis. I would

like to have had more opportunities in the match, but she played

amazing, so I give her a lot of credit. The two sets were very

different, where you feeling very tired in the second set? I felt I

went for a little bit too much. You have to go for it, so I don't have

any regrets. Do you think the exertions of the last fortnight have

caught up with you? Every match is different and you give your best

effort and like I said, she played very well. Two grand slam finals

this year, I must assume you are very proud of your achievement? It

is great tennis this year, I look forward to the next major and giving

it my best shot. Is your appetite still as great as ever? I love the

game, sometimes it is wins and losses, mostly wins, so there will

be more. We will see you next year. Thank you.

Venus Williams has been coming here for 20 years and is not ruling it

out coming back next year. She will be 38 next year. The women

contesting the Ladies' Doubles finals, are walking out. Garbine

Muguruza becomes the first person ever to beat both Williams sisters

to win a grand slam title, having won the French and Wimbledon at well

and 23 she has many great years ahead of her. But Venus, not saying

this will be her last Wimbledon. She very much still wants to come back

and who knows, Serena may be back again next year. The first set was

populous tennis, it was so powerful, so full of pace and amazing accuracy

and then Venus, it was like the battery ran out in the second set.

Garbine Muguruza, won the Ladies' Singles for Spain. If you have tuned

in to watch in margin with Alan Yentob, that will follow the tennis,

but we are in for a late finish because we still have the final of

the Ladies' Doubles to come. I shall handed over to David Mercer and Liz

Smiley to tell you about it. The pair in your picture are only

playing their second tournament together. Their first was at

Eastbourne the week before. They lost in the first round. Liz Smiley,

the doubles champion here with Kathy Jordan, they have done better this

time? They are up against one of the best teams in women's tennis these

days. You might have just picked up the

umpire saying angel. That is the anglicised name she is commonly

known as. That is the name by which he likes to be called. Here are the

Olympic champions,. They were the champions at Roland

Garros in 2013 and at the US Open. The following year, they were both

ranked number three in the world. They very seldom play with other

partners. Elena Vesnina got married last year and her maid of honour is

her doubles partner. They have never won here at Wimbledon. They were

runner-up in 2015 and runner-up at the French as well. They are looking

for their first Wimbledon doubles title.

Slightly older at 30. Her partner is 29. Chan, 23 years of age.

It's not surprisingly is two teams have not played against each other,

given the fact that this is only their second event together. It is

interesting they have just gelled immediately. You see that sometimes

the doubles pairings, they don't have to play for a long time to

understand each other or where their partner is hitting the ball, they

have an chemistry. Ekaterina Makarova, the grand slam

titles won with her partner today. It is an impressive record. In the

majors they have reached the finals of all of them. They would love to

make it three the night. Ten doubles title for Katarina. A few more for a

Elena Vesnina. She has won 16 doubles titles. And of course, those

two majors. They have both won Mixed Doubles grand slam titles with the

same man, Bruno Soares. Nine wins as a team, one win in 2007

and this is the route to the final, just losing the one set in the

quarterfinals. One break in each set of that particular match. It was

very tough. The Australians themselves have been runners-up. The

Australians reached three grand slam finals and lost the lot in 2013.

Here is angel, born in Taipei. Has won 12 doubles titles, nine with her

sister. But she was playing with Martina Hingis and they were playing

with the number one seeds in this event. Monica Niculescu is an

unusual player on the tour, she will play particularly on the forehand

and an exaggerated slice forehand. She doesn't have any grand slam

titles. Her world ranking is 25. This is their route, little bit

different than the semifinal. They ended up winning 9-7 in the third

set, two other matches went the distance. They have not faced a

seeded player. They are the ninth seeds.

The umpire, one of the full-time officials on the women's WTA to. Lot

more aces, you can see from the Russians. One more points but then

they have played a lot of you are games. Rather more efficient at

converting break points on paper. They are the highest seeds left in

the/ when the number one seeds had the defaults.

Bethany Matt Dixon and suffered a terrible injury.

The top section of the drawer opened up once the number one seeds were

gone. The number two seeds, we will see here. I am sure many of the

people were queueing the resale tickets. Then they can say, not only

did I go to Wimbledon and sat on the Hill, then I saw a Wimbledon final

on Centre Court. Wonderful thing for them. Most famous tennis court in

the world. There is always a queue of people whose dream it is to watch

a final. Tough for all four ladies to have to

wait so long that remarkable Men's Doubles going past the four-hour

mark. It is all in the timing when you

cross and just too much space down there, left a little bit early,

Makarova was good enough to hit the forehand up the line. Very solid off

the ground. She had shoulder treatment during

the semifinal, Chan. You can see why Niculescu and Chan

combine well. Excellent volleys from Niculescu at the net. She is always

looking to inject herself into the point.

If you strike the ball well, there is a lovely resonance under the

roof. Perfect conditions. On the full stretch, the return was

unable to hit an effective lob. Not a bad idea. Vesnina really closes in

on the net. That is why we need to have the

lights on and roof closed. That is quite a sunset in the distance. That

is a beautiful sight. Red sky at night, Shepherd's delight. Red sky

in the morning... Shepherd's warding. -- warning.

When you are struggling on serve, 0-30, you love to see your partner

doing that for you. There was too much power from

Makarova first on the big ground stroke and then on the overhead. The

first break point goes to the Olympic champions.

Vesnina makes an extraordinary noise when she strikes the ball. It sounds

like "hiya". Hello to you. What she lacks in pace, Niculescu,

she makes up for with direction. And pinpoint accuracy on the serve.

The backhand hits a flat and powerfully. -- was hit so flat and

powerfully. Vesnina and Makarova probably

thought they had pretty good net position but a screamer up the line

from Niculescu. Two break points saved.

That was an overall by the umpire. No challenge. -- overrule.

That second serve, 71 mph, it was difficult for champ to withstand

that pace of shot. -- for Chan. The perfect start for the number two

seeds. They have had a long day, the ball

kids. Excellent hands from Makarova.

Niculescu had worked her way so close to the net, she had no time to

react. I do not think there is any other

player I can name who is playing today who hits a forehand like

Niculescu, and to be able to squeeze that the line, it is such an unusual

shot. The favourites justifying their

favouritism with this fine start. It is a spectacular sight, the roof at

night. We will be spoiled when we have two. One on Centre Court and

one on Court Number One. I think that is the London eye in the

distance. Mind you, we are still behind the Australian Open, because

you have three. We do, but that is OK. It is constant communication

between Vesnina and Makarova on the change event, between between

points. -- change of ends. Both of them have won two singles titles

apiece and they have both won in Eastbourne, one of the lead up

championships. Vesnina in 2013 and Makarova in 2010. Makarova ranked as

high as number eight in singles and her partner as high as 13.

That first serve, 79 mph. That really does put Chan on the back

foot immediately, particularly against the hitters like Vesnina and

Makarova. I wonder how much the shoulder injury is contributing to

the lack of speed. It was just long. Two points for the

double break. That is a wonderful angle from Chan.

Niculescu is trying to work her way into the point at the net, but she

did not needed on that particular occasion. It was a great angle from

Chan. Still in trouble, fighting hard to hold.

The next shot from Chan was not effective enough. That is easy

pickings. Slightly extravagant, I thought,

that choice of shot from Vesnina. She thought Vesnina was going to

cross. Goes up the line, Chan, but Vesnina was not going anywhere.

Fourth break point in this game. terrific poach. Niculescu has to

keep doing that, even if she gets burned a couple of times down the

line. She have to keep trying to help Chan.

Perhaps a little unfair the 4-0 scoreline on Chan and Niculescu.

They have fought really hard in the two service games, but no reward.

UMPIRE: Ladies and gentlemen, please make sure the flashes off on your

cameras. Thank you. That is the problem with the sliced,

blocks returned from Niculescu. If she gets it wrong, it is floating

high and is easy pickings. And the object is to keep the

receivers guessing as to which way the partner will move? Correct and

also to pick their spot, be definitive about where they want to

hit and do not worry about the person at the net.

I cannot imagine it happened to you, but if you are losing 5-0, are you

saying to each other, we had better try something different? I think you

mentioned the scoreline is probably not an accurate reflection of the

quality of the match so far. Niculescu had opportunities to hold

as did Chan. But they lack a little bit of power. Certainly not from

Chan, but Niculescu, even though she is darting from side to side and is

doing her best at the net, her return lacks power and the serve of

both of these ladies lacks a bit of power, which gives the Russians

advantage because they want to be aggressive both sides. You have to

forget about the score at this point and just focus on this game. We have

had one love set today, the second set of the singles final.

My point about lack of power was illustrated. Niculescu hit the

forehand on the line and anybody else who hits that it is probably a

winner because you have the whole court, because it does not have

pace, the Russians are able to run its down and stay in the point. --

run it down. A terrific return and then the classic interception. These

two are playing really well. A bit adventurous with that shot, I

think. It drops in. They are challenging

the decision. Outside edge. Two set points. When things aren't going

your way, they just go your way, don't they?

STUDIO: Makarova and Vesnina are clearly aware play can not go beyond

11pm. Taking the first set 6-0. Earlier in the day we had British

winners in the wheelchair doubles final with Gordon Reid and Alfie

Hewett beating Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer France. The Frenchman

saved four match points before, finally, netting the ball that gave

victory. Tomorrow we will have more British interest, because in the

women's doubles finals, Jordanne Whiley of Great Britain teams up

with her doubles partner and we will show you that from the 11am live on

BBC Two. A great crowd on Court Number 3, the first time the

wheelchair finals have been staged there and about 2000 people packed

in to see it and as you can see, thousands left at Wimbledon, as the

clock ticks past 10pm and we live with the final of the ladies'

doubles. Makarova and Vesnina taking the first set 6-0. We can rejoin

David Mercer. Almost the perfect set.

Overambitious on a fume shots, the Olympic champions.

Oh yes! Mixing the power with finesse. It started with the Vesnina

lob. They haven't put a foot wrong, the Russian pair.

Makarova and Vesnina pick up the second set where they left the

first. Let's see who opens proceedings here serving. It'll be

Niculescu. They are changing ends. Niculescu served from the other end

in the first set. Too early. Way too early from Chan.

All the time in the world for Makarova to hit the ball up the

line. It is a bit like a heavyweight

against a flyweight at the moment. It is a big problem for them on the

serve, both Chan and Niculescu. Much better timing that time. The

crowd urging on Chan and Niculescu. They'd love them to get a game, but

still facing break point. Slides that slice down the line.

When you are playing against a shot like that, you think, she can't keep

hitting that up there. But it is her favourite shot of that side.

Good variety from the Russians. We have seen some timely lobs from both

Makarova and Vesnina. Sitting there waiting for it,

Vesnina. As a player, do you start to think

about love and love? It is getting quite desperate for Niculescu and

her partner, Chan. It is difficult to see where they can change this

because they are both struggling with the pace of shot on the serve.

Coupled with the fact the Russians are just gaining in confidence,

every service game, expecting to either break or at police go close.

So that is putting more pressure on. First serve points won just 38%.

Second serve points one is worse. I remember Steffi Graf against

Natasha 's grave in the French Open, 6-0, 6-0 and I think it was about 36

minutes. Steffi Graf could do that to people at her best.

She got herself into an awkward position, Niculescu. But just did it

just in time. -- adjusted it. Doing its best to get over her left

shoulder, Niculescu. Good footwork in the end. There was the chance to

get to their first game point of the match.

Not willing to give an inch, are they, the Olympic champions?

Bay are absolutely determined to be ruthless. So you should in this

professional age. The days of giving someone a game have long since gone.

I don't know if those days ever existed, did they? I was told by my

parents, in the juniors, if you are beating somebody 6-0, you ought to

give them again. -- again. Now than! It is like please, can I

just win this point. Their first break point, their second game point

of the match. As Vesnina urges Makarova to go

higher, because that is what it sounds like. The order of play

tomorrow, from two o'clock on Centre Court it will be the men's final,

Marin Cilic trying to win his first title against Roger Federer trying

to win his eighth. We have Jamie Murray playing alongside Martina

Hingis and Heather Watson. But coverage starts earlier because from

11 o'clock on BBC Two we will be on for the wheelchair doubles final.

That features Jordanne Whiley of Great Britain. Let's see if the

love, love scoreline can be achieved by the Russian pair.

One last chance the Chan and Niculescu to get on the scoreboard.

Niculescu is trying everything and so is Chan. To be able to move into

the court and take that ball in the air, I think it seems like they can

do. They are underpowered and they have

been overwhelmed. Two championship points.

APPLAUSE A third Grand Slam title than for

the Russians. Makarova and Vesnina. They played quite superbly. And a

first title here at Wimbledon. And for the opponents, they have got

to console themselves by saying, in our second tournament together, have

reached the Wimbledon final. STUDIO: Very impressive from

Makarova and Vesnina winning 6-0, 6-0 and venting their defeat in the

final last year which was at the hands of Venus and Serena Williams.

Venus was involved in the Lady single final earlier today and she

put up a brave fight, but Garbine Muguruza was ruthless. Venus seemed

to run out of energy and she made too many mistakes. Garbine Muguruza

went to Hawk-Eye to challenge and the ball was confirmed out and that

meant Garbine Muguruza at the age of 23 has won her first Wimbledon title

and becomes the first minute to do so since Conchita Martinez since

1994 and only the second Spanish woman ever. She holds that aloft as

the Wimbledon champion. He will follow in those footsteps tomorrow?

It will be either Roger Federer or Marin Cilic. Good night for now.

No-one... ..tells us... ..what to choose.

Take this island like a dose of medicine

Emerging from the mists of afternoon thunderstorms

Waterfalls pound your head into shape

Let the sea beat your longing out of you

Restless spirits to whom no priest or pundit bid farewell

Strange names of disparate tongues from far-flung places

Let this island medicine intoxicate you

Let the liquor dance a spirit dance in your veins

This is where you come to find yourself

Into the forest, into the cane fields

Among the lost things of this island, find yourself whole again.

For over a decade the British artist Chris Ofili

has made the Caribbean island of Trinidad his home.

For me, one of the attractive things about Trinidad is

and it still feels like it's brand-new.

From his explosive early works featuring riotous colours,

collage and, infamously, elephant dung,

Chris Ofili has always pushed the possibilities of painting.

But his time in Trinidad has been a creative rebirth.

There's so much of it and it's so powerful -

It's just a very kind of painterly island.

is to find a way to bring those elements together

His latest project attempts just this.

It's a remarkable collaboration, a giant tapestry,

almost three metres high and over seven metres wide,

that is centrepiece of a new Ofili exhibition

Created alongside a team of master weavers,

it's taken nearly three years to complete.

that weaves together the sights and sounds of Trinidad...

..with nods to both the classical world and, unexpectedly,

the Italian footballer Mario Balotelli.

And he's called it The Caged Bird's Song.

It brings to mind the idea of the question of sweetness of the song.

Is the sweeter song the song of the uncaged bird

And what that really is asking about liberation and constraint

and how that could potentially relate to...

The story begins four and a half thousand miles away from Trinidad...

This former Victorian swimming baths is home to Dovecot Studios,

one of the world's leading creators of hand-woven tapestries.

Back in 2013, the studio was approached by the Clothworkers,

a London livery company with a rich textile history,

who were looking to make a bold new commission.

We were hoping for a contemporary, a modern, vibrant tapestry,

and we were looking for an established,

Dovecot came up with a short list, and then,

when we found that Chris was very keen to experiment outside his usual

field, to go in to tapestry, we were absolutely delighted.

The Clothworkers wrote and asked if I would consider making a tapestry

Which, to me, at the time, seemed like a commission.

Which is something that I would normally run away from

because I felt that the fear is that they would want to have a say in

raised a level of anxiety that I didn't really want to take on.

So I think I sent back a number of, like, questions

and they were pretty much a list of things I wasn't going to do, like

I didn't want to see where it was going to go,

and I didn't want to have a conversation about content.

On every front, you just nixed them.

I thought, no, now they've agreed to everything,

that means that they've got something up their sleeve.

The way that Chris works with colours really is fascinating,

and we thought that would very much fulfil the bill.

We wanted a Chris Ofili piece, we wanted him to be happy.

At home in Trinidad, Ofili created a vibrant design for the tapestry -

a triptych, painted - rather mischievously - in watercolour.

because the subject is pretty much about water and fluidity.

And I also thought it would be funny to see if the weavers could actually

So I found myself making a watercolour

and trying to release the pigment even more,

and almost giggling at the fact that it was almost impossible for them to

There's no way they're going to be able to do this.

and met them, they had a kind of solidity to them, and a confidence,

a creative confidence, about their own process.

Thankfully, they were really open to the challenge of it.

as to whether or not they could achieve it.

For the weavers, it was a major undertaking.

and complexity would take years of their lives.

Haven't you chosen something quite challenging?

Because watercolours must be incredibly difficult to weave and to

The watercolour is, like, multi-layered, so you're often

looking at the colours underneath to come up through, as well.

They want... They did a colour strip, wove it in front of me,

and they started to put together threads to make that turquoise fizz

in front of my eyes, when you look at it as a solid colour.

And I realised that was completely different to my understanding of it.

And so I felt as though I could just let go and float with this process.

These are the bobbins that we use for weaving with.

If you're wanting to weave something that looks all the same colour,

but you don't want it to look flat like cardboard,

you would make a mix with very close colours,

and then it would just gently look like the same colour.

you get more of an idea of what it's going to weave up like.

So these are more subtle, different variations of these colours.

I can see these... That's right, yes.

I think we lifted the colour from the original image.

But there's almost no pure colour in here, is there?

It's all a mix... It's all a mix, yes. ..which watercolour is, really.

Absolutely. Making those mixtures means that we can get the subtlety

and the richness. But it also means that we can blend one colour

into another to get that... This watercolour effect.

Watercolour and wool are such completely different materials. Yes!

He's a master colourist, Chris Ofili, so,

he wanted to challenge them by using a watercolour pigment,

which is the most free-flowing of the pigments,

and so you get this wonderful paradox between this spontaneous,

which then becomes this permanent fixed three-dimensional object

There is that great variation in the watercolours themselves, very lush,

and then almost non-colour and the use of charcoal.

Midweek colours? Yeah, midweek colours, and the weekend colours are

the popping colours that you get around.

And he's drawn in charcoal and his clothing is turquoise.

I remember putting the turquoise down and the colour just suddenly

I remember thinking, "Oh, no! I've screwed it up!"

And then, I just thought, this is kind of hilarious.

That they are now going to capture that moment,

and I still see it when I look at it.

You're a bit of a sadist, aren't you?

No! No! I think it was just to see if...

It was a way of trying to have a dialogue, really.

So, what of the actual narrative within Ofili's tapestry design?

Both the glowing colour palette and much of its imagery draws

inspiration from his adopted island home of Trinidad.

and try and get to the bottom of the caged-bird phenomenon.

I like to almost observe it from a distance.

You could be running around the Savanna,

and somebody would come towards you, walking,

and they're carrying a little bird in a cage.

Then you can go to these competitions, which is like

a kind of orchestra of little birds in cages, singing, you know.

In the mornings in Trinidad, there's incredible birdsong.

Keeping songbirds is a surprisingly macho subculture on the island.

The birds are fed a local seed grass, known as crab eye,

to help them perform to the best of their abilities.

I grew up here and my grandfather used to mine then, my father,

and now I have them. I inherit some of them even from my grandfather.

These birds live up to 30, 35 years.

The notes of the birds singing is just pleasing to my ear.

When I listen to my birds, I have to play music, I like that song.

I haven't, to this day, got myself my own caged bird.

I do think it's a beautiful thing to be able to have around.

Some of the songs of these caged birds are just...

And they really just kind of captivate you and throw you

MUSIC: You're Goin' Miss Your Candyman by Terry Callier

Chris, he appreciates what we have here.

This place is just such a rich bed for anyone who wants to study

and the various nuances associated with such, you know?

Especially those who have a particular creative energy.

The natural world has been a huge source of delight for him,

There's a tropical world, the colours are more vivid.

You know, the sun shines more brightly.

He's not the only artist to have moved to that kind of

And I think it's inevitable that what you see around you becomes...

becomes part of the landscape, becomes part of your repertoire.

a great artist is that they often make a story their own.

You know, what you're looking at, really, in the tapestry,

And what's happening behind the curtain.

And then when the curtain closes again,

the man holding the caged bird, the lady holding the bird seed

But just to try to understand the journey you went on, this is,

in the end, one image, but you went through

You didn't just arrive at that idea.

There was a point at which I was quite clear on what the image was

going to be. But I wanted to be able to render it with ease.

And so, in order to do that, you kind of have to go through a few

different iterations, really, of the same thing.

To see what happens when a curve moves left instead of right,

or a stroke is done from the bottom up, or the top down.

And it's just to see which flows better.

The fluidity is also part of the process of making,

The sense of flow and the presence of water is everywhere in Ofili's

A couple sit by a waterfall with a river swirling around them.

The man is busy serenading, while the woman sips a cocktail.

And the cocktail is being poured by a strange, abstracted figure,

based on an image of the Italian footballer Mario Balotelli in tears.

So, Chris, where does it all begin with Mario?

Um... I was interested in the fact that maybe the tears,

his tears, could become part of the cocktail. Ah!

Yeah, that there's this kind of deep underlying sadness to him

that's being transferred into this potion, or drink.

But, in this case, I wanted to really collage the image that I was

For it to be there, still in its raw state.

connects various threads in Ofili's own story.

Born and raised in Manchester to Nigerian parents,

Chris's explorations of race and Afro identity -

have always been a distinctive feature of his work.

he won the Turner Prize for paintings

that included a poignant depiction of Doreen Lawrence,

grieving her son Stephen's brutal murder.

For me, it's about trying to make a painting about tremendous loss.

I mean, I focused on the image that was strongest to me,

which was of Doreen, his mother, crying.

And that just seemed like such a powerful image.

When I finished the painting it felt like that raw emotion, that sorrow,

it felt like that was actually in the room.

As for Balotelli, the son of Ghanaian immigrants to Sicily,

he was later fostered by an Italian family.

But his footballing gifts are often overshadowed by his own volatile

reputation, and racism within the game.

So...I can't, in my heart, say that I think he's a wonderful footballer.

Because he's wearing the wrong-colour shirt.

But I think there are other qualities to him

that are outside of his abilities as a sportsman.

Qualities that seem much more mythical.

I think, you know, the fact that he's a black African Italian.

He symbolises the way race plays a part, still, in sport.

I think he's a maverick, in a way that you don't often get.

I've worked with images of him before,

and this is another one, I'm still trying to figure it out.

And I think, with him, it's also not fixed.

So I've cast him in this sense, as a...

Which you've done... You've done a bit of cocktail...

Yeah. I like that idea of almost being in disguise, really.

But you're also able to take on another personality

Is that because when you were doing it you were trying

to kind of get a glimpse of the world as it was,

See it differently, yeah. To try and see things differently momentarily.

Let's just say there are great cocktail waiters in the world.

There must be something other than just mixing drinks.

Adopting masks and alternative personas

Much of the island's multicultural population is the colonial legacy.

Generations of African slaves and indentured Indian labourers

toiled on its sugar and cocoa plantations.

When we think about the Amerindians who lived here...

..and constructed, if you want, on their slaughter.

Trinidad's annual carnival is a visceral celebration

When rebellion is put down, as most of them have been...

revolt on behalf of, or against, do not disappear.

The people's attitude to these things also doesn't disappear.

Right? What happens is that this moves into the culture.

And that is why art and culture functions in

such subversive ways in a kind of way,

because you're looking for them to frontally to be saying one thing,

and then they are saying something else, you know?

It's a very interesting thing about our Carnival, we have, like,

In our mythology we have so many shape shifters.

You know, there are so many characters that change perspective,

and change their outward appearance

When you put on a costume, especially a blue devil,

You know what I mean? Your energy is raw.

It's raw. You kind of cast away your inhibitions.

And as we say in Trinidad, you are free of yourself.

I don't know, maybe that's part of what Chris

experiences here. A certain level of freedom.

The thing about Chris is that he... He disappears in a place like this.

His blackness includes him in the society,

in a way that if he was a white artist, he would not.

His otherness is different here than it would be in England.

For somebody who is a transplant from somewhere else,

but a transplant from somewhere else that he doesn't know at all,

the fact that Trinidad's full of people with different histories,

did you just somehow absorb that and then sort of

one of the attractive things about Trinidad is that it's still quite

mysterious. And you think you are going in one direction,

and you realise you're actually not going in that direction.

If anything, it's kind of kept things open.

..it to feel... To still feel like life is still being collaged

Meanwhile, bringing Ofili's watercolour design to life

remains a daunting task for the weavers.

And yet, the whole art of tapestry-making

is incredibly exacting, and labour-intensive.

For centuries, tapestries were cherished for these very reasons.

They were to the north of Europe what fresco was to the south.

Vast projections of power, wealth and sophistication.

would have stretched three miles if laid end to end.

But the intricate processes involved in creating tapestry have changed

Everything has to be made from scratch,

and Ofili's original watercolours dramatically scaled up.

looking forward to working with Chris

after his work doing some set designs of backdrops for a ballet,

we thought that he can imagine his work on that sort of scale.

And so we knew that they would work well.

You can see at the bottom it says, "Please enlarge by 877%."

So from that we get a line drawing that we call the cartoon -

Each mark has to be made not just on the front of

the warp thread but also all the way round.

And we're looking at the lines that are actually on the warps.

We are constantly referring back to the image with the small cartoon

sitting over the top. Already from this conversation,

I can see how exhausting this must be.