It is normally rain that stops play but yesterday it was a bottle of wine that kept tennis legend Virginia Wade off the courts.

Ms Wade had planned a friendly knock about with ice skater Jayne Torvill at the Hastings Direct International Tennis Championships but she hurt her foot when a bottle fell on it yesterday morning.

When Jayne Torvill pulled out because of unforeseen circumstances the match was called off. Ms Wade said she was relieved she wouldn't have to put her tennis shoes on.

Instead she spent the afternoon in the commentary box watching Kim Clijsters and Marshona Washington battle it out for a place in today's semifinal.

Ms Wade, 59, who was Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Champion in 1977, said: "I'm not sure what happened - the bottle fell out of the polystyrene holder and I stuck my foot out so it wouldn't smash on the floor.

"I really like commentating because you pay more attention to the game and get more from it."

She revealed she was rooting for Flemish Kim Clijsters and said: "I always hope she wins because she has had a tough time of it with injuries and she really is a wonderful player."

She said coming to the tournament at Eastbourne brought back fond memories.

She said: "I have been coming here for ages. I used to play in county week and that was so much fun and then I came for the tournaments as well. It is absolutely brilliant to be back."

As dark clouds threatened to stop play, one budding star of the future took the opportunity to get a quick game in before the heavens opened.

Emma Roberts, three, of Highdown Road, Lewes, was practising with her first tennis racquet given to her by her grandma Jean Carter.

Emma's mum Jane, 42, who once coached Ms Wade at Gleneagles, said Emma had been promised a racquet when she was old enough to start playing.

She said: "Emma has been so excited about the tennis. I have been coming here since I was 16 and love it. We came for Ladies' Day but we haven't seen any people wearing glamorous hats and dresses like they used to."

On the sixth day of the ladies' tournament, hundreds of fans turned out in search of the traditional bowl of strawberries and cream. Purple and yellow orchid corsages were handed out by local florist Floral Occasions and goodie bags filled with beauty products and high-energy snacks were draped on the arms of all the ladies - and men.

Jenny Dixon, 46, had travelled from Tunbridge Wells with friends.

She said: "Despite the weather we have had a lovely day. It is such an intimate tournament because you can see all the players warming up and practising before they go on to centre court."

The only thing missing was the usual display of glamorous headwear. As the afternoon went on most spectators were forced to pull out rain hats and umbrellas but 69-year-old Barbara Mason proudly sported a baseball cap signed by players Jennifer Capriati, Amelie Mauresmo and Peter Flemming and Wimbledon referee Alan Mills.

She and her twin sister Syndonia Donnelly had travelled from Sheffield for the event.

She said: "It has been a bit chilly but we have really enjoyed watching the tennis."

Tournament director Gavin Fletcher said: "We have had a fabulous crowd today and although the weather was a little frustrating the players were patient and we saw some great tennis."