Navratilova joins veterans in their element

By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - Martina Navratilova just could not stop grinning from ear to ear in the Wimbledon sunshine. The nine-times singles champion was back where she belonged.

To cries from Australian fans of "Come on the Woodies", doubles duo Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde threw themselves back into battle, rolling back the years in a tight tiebreak.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the men's and women's invitation at Wimbledon, a chance for the heroes of yesteryear to strut their stuff on their old stamping ground.

The list reads like a roll call of Wimbledon's finest years -- from Navratilova to Tracy Austin, from Guillermo Vilas to Henri Leconte.

One particular favorite was on show. Iranian showman Mansour Bahrami delighted the crowd with his on-court antics.

It was pure entertainment and barely a seat was left empty on the outside courts where the veterans were playing.

Navratilova teamed up in doubles with Czech Helena Sukova, clearly revelled in the relaxed atmosphere.

Two double faults in her service game would have produced a frown of frustration in Navratilova's heyday as the undisputed queen of Wimbledon. This time they were greeted with a philosophical shrug.

Ann Paine, 64, settled down for the day on Court 18 to enjoy the "oldies" at play.

"The Woodies are brilliant and Bahrami is such fun," she said. "I like to see the old ones who you cannot catch on television. It brings back happy memories," she said.

No great fan of the modern game, she said: "All that screaming and shouting. I hate it with the girls."

Settling down for the day for a picnic and a natter with her friend Edna -- "Now don't go telling him my age please Ann" -- it was a trip down memory lane for the pair to savour.

"I love it because it's lots of fun. They keep making comments. It's light-hearted," Paine said.

Vijay Amritraj came in right on cue.

The elegant Indian player, who appeared in the James Bond movie "Octopussy", jested with the lady line judge who had just called one of his shots out.