• Innovative shorts dubbed ‘Wimble-Bum’, launched to ease the discomfort experienced by Andy Murray supporters at Wimbledon
   

TENNIS fans can now sit and queue in comfort with the launch of a revolutionary pair of ‘Wimble-Bum’ shorts designed to fix the pain felt by those queuing for hours for Centre Court seats.

To combat this, insurance company Direct Line commissioned the custom-made tennis ball padded shorts to fix the discomfort that fans will experience eagerly waiting for tickets to see Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic or Serena Williams take to The Championships’ courts. 

Despite Brits being world-beaters at waiting in an orderly line, at Wimbledon, the average six-hour wait sitting on the grounds of Wimbledon Park before entering the grounds can provide a real pain in the backside. 

Last year, fans waited for over 54 hours  to get their hands on coveted show court tickets. 

The limited edition shorts have been tested to relieve the pain felt when sitting for long periods and will be available to those queuing on the first day using the #directfix hashtag on Twitter.

Wendy Pearson, spokesperson for Direct Line says: “We might not be able to fix it for Andy Murray or Johanna Konta to win, but with our ‘Wimble-Bum’ shorts, we can fix the discomfort tennis fans go through when queuing for hours on end for tickets. They’ll certainly make the whole Wimbledon experience from queue to court even better and, certainly a lot more comfortable.”

James Ward, current Davis Cup winner and British Number 5, is launching the ‘Wimble-Bum’ shorts after personally testing them and helping with the design. Ward will join the #directfix team in handing out 200 limited edition pairs out on the first day of the tournament in SW19 before his first-round match against defending champion, Novak Djokovic. 

James Ward said: “I can’t wait to return to Wimbledon after the Davis Cup success. It is not only where I have had my best Grand Slam result but also where I feel the most at home. The Lawn Championships is all about the fans and anything to make their life easier and help them sing louder is ace. 

“I have always admired the fans that wait for hours to get tickets and I am glad to be a part of creating the ‘Wimble-Bum’ shorts and I hope it will make that process more comfortable. Those that watched my six hours and 40 minutes match against Chris Eaton in 2009 could definitely have done with them.”

As well as handing out the ‘Wimble-Bum’ shorts at Wimbledon Park, Direct Line’s team will be on hand to ease the discomfort of hundreds of others in the queue with custom-made #directfix boxes.  

The ‘Wimble-Bum’ shorts coincide with the insurer’s Summer #directfix campaign, where teams travel around the country fixing all manner of seasonal stresses; from helping people with hay fever to offering tips on dealing with humidity.

For more information on Direct Line’s Summer #directfix campaign visit twitter.com/directline_UK.
 
ENDS

For further accreditation / information / interviews / images:
 
Vishal Rana  
[email protected] 
020 7440 9828

Priya Sund 
[email protected] 
0207 440 9975

Andrew Soar 
[email protected]                 
020 7440 9817

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Direct Line:
Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line. 

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com.

About #directfix:
Better known for its insurance policies, Direct Line has branched out to ensure they are not only there to fix customers bigger insurance emergencies, but are part of your everyday life. Travelling from city to city, the #directfix team have been listening on social media to the nation’s despairs and helping put right those problems that they can’t insure.  

Every week, for one day a week, the #directfix team visit a city in the UK and watch out on social media for the woes of the people in that city. Promptly responding, they offer a #directfix to the disgruntled recipient, following which the team, dressed in red boiler suits and driving #directfix vans, deliver a fix. The team have already fixed problems across London, Cardiff, Portsmouth, Birmingham and many more.
 

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