Wimbledon 2014: 5 iPhone and iPad games to fill the rain delays

Something unusual happened at last year's Wimbledon. Something unheard of.

Andy Murray - a Brit, no less - only went and won the thing.

As a result, Murrays's one of an elite group of four players who realistically stand a chance of winning Wimbledon 2014. It puts us Brits in the unusual position for this year's tournament of backing a winner.

Given what a shambles the England football team has been at the World Cup, it's something of a consolation.

Of course, with expectations that Mr Murray will be in it until the final stages, we have to start planning things to fill the increasing gaps in between matches - particularly in the second week.

Here are five loosely tennis-related iPhone games that can do just that.

Virtua Tennis Challenge
By Sega

The king of console tennis makes the switch to iOS, and it's a pretty good effort. Yes, despite the need to swap tight physical controls for decidedly less tight virtual ones.

There's no better game on iPhone for replicating the most exciting bits of a top-level tennis match, with a full spread of lobs, passing shots, and smashes at your disposal.

Okay, so it's a bit light on modes and famous players, but Virtua Tennis Challenge plays a treat.

Table Tennis Touch
By Yakuto

It's the ultimate rainy day alternative sport and tennis's miniaturised cousin. Everyone loves table tennis, and we're pretty sure everyone will love Table Tennis Touch, too.

It gets its swipe-based controls right in a way that arguably replicates the host sport better than any full-sized tennis game on iPhone.

With such fine ball control at your fingertips, you're bound to develop blisters from indulging in too many flamboyant cross-court flicks. You'll probably miss a few Wimbledon matches, too.

Stickman Tennis
By Djinnworks

It may look laughably basic, but Stickman Tennis plays a brand of tennis that stays curiously true to the spirit of the sport.

You little stickman slides around the pitch like he's on ice, but the emphasis on precise timing and shot placement is surprisingly nuanced.

If you've ever been curious as to how Roger Federer might play the game on roller skaters (who hasn't?), check it out.

Tennis in the Face
By 10tons

Tennis in the Face is the strawberries and cream of iPhone tennis games: only tangentially linked to the game of tennis itself, but a sweet treat in between hefty courses of intense sporting action.

It's a cheeky physics puzzler that sees you thwacking tennis balls off multiple angled surfaces in a bid to cause maximum destruction.

The perfect way to let out your rain delay/limp Murray exit frustrations.

Stick Tennis
By Stick Sports

Forget the similar name. Stick Tennis plays nothing like Stickman Tennis.

You don't control the movement of your player at all in this arcadey take on the sport. You're simply responsible for thwacking the ball with a finely tuned swipe-based control system.

With a number of challenges set against real players (well, their cartoony likenesses anyway), Stick Tennis is the perfect casual take on everyone's favourite racquet sport.