That Time I Almost Became James Bond (But My Wife Had Other Plans)

By Lewis Barnett 24 June, 2025 7 mins read 337 Views

God, where do I even start with this one?

So there I was in 1967, having just made it to the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time. I'm Roger Taylor, by the way - Sheffield lad who somehow found himself swinging a racket on Centre Court when most people thought British tennis was a joke. This was way before Tim Henman made it cool to lose gracefully at Wimbledon, mind you. I was 24, cocky as hell, and apparently caught someone's eye who wasn't just there for the strawberries and cream.

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The Most Ridiculous Phone Call of My Life

Picture this: I'm still buzzing from reaching the Queen's Club final when Noel Berryman - vice-chairman of Queen's, proper posh bloke - rings me up with what I assumed was the most elaborate wind-up in tennis history.

"Roger," he says, dead serious, "Richard Maybourne's wife thinks you should be the next James Bond."

I nearly choked on my tea. Maybourne was a big-shot scriptwriter, and here's his missus apparently telling him she'd found Sean Connery's replacement watching me lose at Queen's. Frances, my wife at the time, was in the background absolutely howling with laughter. Scottish Baptist, my Frances - not exactly the type to get starry-eyed about Hollywood nonsense.

But Noel wasn't having a laugh. "They want to meet you. Park Lane offices. Serious money involved."

Method Acting in Hotel Mirrors (Don't Judge Me)

Look, I'd never acted a day in my life. Closest I'd come to performing was grunting through five-set matches. But something about the whole thing intrigued me. Maybe it was being 6ft tall and left-handed - apparently that was exotic enough for 1967 Hollywood.

So between tennis matches that week, I found myself practicing in hotel mirrors. "Bond. James Bond." Over and over, trying to get that Connery growl right. Frances caught me once and nearly wet herself laughing. "You look like you're constipated, Roger."

Thanks, love.

The Silent Treatment (And Not the Good Kind)

Sunday rolls around and we head into London. I'm nervous as hell, excited, but also annoyed that this whole thing is messing with my Wimbledon prep. Tennis was my job, after all - this Bond business felt like playing dress-up.

The meeting was... weird. Really weird. Got shepherded into this room full of men in expensive suits, two of them puffing on cigars the size of cricket bats. And they just... stared. For what felt like hours but was probably three minutes. Not one bloody word. Just staring at me like I was a prize bull at market.

I never even got to use my practiced line. Meeting ended, handshakes all around, and I'm back to Wimbledon wondering what the hell just happened.

The Swimsuit Incident (AKA When Frances Put Her Foot Down)

Few days later, Berryman calls again. Apparently I'd passed whatever that silent staring contest was supposed to prove. "They want you at Pinewood Studios for a proper screen test," he says. "Oh, and Roger? Bring your swimsuit."

That's when Frances lost it completely.

"Absolutely not," she said, and I could practically see the steam coming out her ears. "I'm not becoming some Bond girl prancing about in a bikini while you gallivant around pretending to be a spy."

Fair point, really. Though I did wonder what those Pinewood tests would've been like. Probably dodging fake bullets and trying not to trip over my own feet.

George Lazenby and the Bar That Changed Everything

They went with George Lazenby instead - Australian model, looked the part better than a tennis player from Sheffield, I suppose. On Her Majesty's Secret Service came out in 1969, and I watched it thinking "what if?" like every other bloke who'd ever dreamed of being Bond.

But here's the kicker: few years later, I'm in California, sitting at some dive bar after a tournament. Guy next to me looks absolutely destroyed - proper broken man, drowning his sorrows in whatever cheap whiskey they were serving. Takes me a minute to recognize him.

George bloody Lazenby.

One Bond film and he was done. Career never recovered, looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. Made me wonder if Frances had saved me from more than just embarrassment.

No Regrets (Well, Maybe Just a Few)

I'm 83 now, dealing with amyloidosis - incurable but manageable, thanks for asking. Married to Alison these days, much happier than I was back then. But every time a Bond film comes on telly, there's still that tiny voice asking "what if?"

Would I have been any good? Probably not. Would it have been worth giving up tennis? Definitely not. But did I perfect that "Bond, James Bond" line just in case?

You bet I did.

My autobiography's out June 30th, by the way - "The Man Who Saved Wimbledon" from Pitch Publishing, £25 if you're interested. Got plenty more stories where this came from, and most of them are even more ridiculous than nearly becoming 007.

Frequently Asked Questions

How has the scoring of tennis contributed to its uniqueness?

Tennis' scoring system is unique and adds to its appeal. Games and sets are separated in tennis matches. A player must win 6 games by at least a two-point margin to earn a "set". Before a game is won, the score goes from zero (love) to 15, 30, and 40. If the players are tied at forty, they have to win by two points. This system creates a thrilling element of unpredictability and tension, often leading to dramatic shifts in momentum.

What are key elements of tennis etiquette?

Tennis etiquette reflects sportsmanship and respect. The players are expected to be honest in their decisions, refrain from distractions when serving, stay silent during rallies and give a warm handshake after the match. Audiences also participate in this etiquette by remaining quiet during match play and applauding good shots from both competitors. By adhering these unwritten tennis rules, you maintain the gentlemanly tradition and integrity of the sport.

How has tennis gear evolved over time?

Tennis equipment has undergone significant evolution since the game's early days. Original rackets had string guts made of animal intestines. Technology has made rackets more powerful and lighter over the years by using materials like carbon fiber and graphite. The balls also have evolved. They are no longer hand-sewn, but manufactured with pressurized rubber. This provides a consistent bounce and flight. This evolution has allowed for a more dynamic and athletic form of play.

What are tennis' four Grand Slam tournaments?

The four Grand Slams or Majors are the highest-profile events in professional Tennis. The four Grand Slam tournaments are the Australian Open, held in January, Wimbledon, in June and August, and the US Open, in September and October. These tournaments are celebrated for their history, the level of competition, and the significant ranking points and prize money they offer. Grand Slams are considered to be one of the most prestigious achievements in tennis.

How do the different playing surfaces affect tennis matches?

Different playing surfaces have a significant impact on the style and pace of tennis matches. Grass courts favor big servers and players with an aggressive style. Clay courts are slower and have a higher bounce. This is good for baseline players and those with topspin and endurance. Hard courts reward players with an even playing surface, which is neither too fast and not too slow. These variations in surfaces necessitate different strategic approaches and can heavily influence match outcomes.

Statistics

The four Grand Slam tournaments collectively attract over 3.5 million spectators in person, highlighting tennis's enduring appeal.
Since the Open Era began in 1968, allowing professional players to compete in the Grand Slams, the United States has produced the most Grand Slam singles titles across men's and women's competition.
As of 2023, Wimbledon remains the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is considered by many to be the most prestigious.
Lawn tennis, which evolved into the game we know today, adapted its point system from the jeu de paume, with theories suggesting its increments represent the face of a clock.
The modern game of tennis originated in England in the late 19th century, with the first Wimbledon Championship held in 1877.

External Links

How To

Tennis History: A Guide to Researching It

For a deeper look at the history and development of tennis, you can explore historical periods from the origins as “real tennis” in France's 12th-century to its current form as lawn Tennis. There are many sources of reference material, including libraries, online database and archives. Some notable milestones are the codification by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield of the rules and the introduction of prestigious events like Wimbledon. Tennis history is available in the International Tennis Hall of Fame's books and online resources.