The mystery surrounding RTE's U-turn on live coverage from Wimbledon was due to late negotiations, the station's sports department explained this week.

Earlier this year, RTE had announced that it would not be providing its usual Wimbledon coverage as the tournament, according to viewing figures, was no longer a "viable product". Apparently, the sports department then decided to look into negotiating a late deal and thus last Sunday the RTE crew made a hurried return to Wimbledon - halfway through the tournament.

The record attendances every day and the increasing attraction of the women's game in the first week of play, according to RTE, had absolutely nothing to do with it.

We wonder.