Why has Wimbledon dropped 'Miss'?

Scoreboard in 2009 (top) and in previous years (bottom)

For 132 years the scoreboards at Wimbledon have billed female tennis players as "Miss" or "Mrs", so why have the titles been dropped?

Wimbledon has always been known for its strict standards of etiquette. Organisers of the tournament like things to be done just so, like insisting players wear predominantly white.

But nothing is sacred and some traditions have been scrapped in recent years. Players have not had to bow or curtsy to the royal box when entering and leaving Centre Court since 2003.

This year another formality has been dropped. For the first time in the tournament's 132-year history female tennis players are no longer referred to as "Miss" or "Mrs" on scoreboards, with first names being used instead.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which organises the tournament, says there is no official reason for the change.

Some players objected to the tradition being scrapped and it made the headlines.