Wimbledon
Britain’s perennial fascination with tennis, Wimbledon, is one of the major grand slam tennis tournaments. The Wimbledon Championships are the tennis world’s most prominent grass court competition, followed by millions around the globe.
What started out as little more than a west London garden party in 1877, has developed into one of the world’s biggest sporting events, that for a few weeks in summer engulfs Britain into a frenzy of tennis and strawberries and cream, despite the inevitable rain showers!
The hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon are situated in southwest London, and for six weeks over June and July each year, they host the Wimbledon Championships. Tennis stars from over 60 nations compete for total prize money of over £10million, in front of 500,000 spectators in the stands, and millions more watching on TV worldwide.
History of Wimbledon
The first Wimbledon Championships were held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 1877. It was a Gentleman’s singles competition watched by less than 200 people, who paid a shilling each to watch Spencer Gore win. In 1884, Ladies tennis was also added to the championship and the first lady to win at Wimbledon was Maud Watson, also in that same year doubles tennis was added to the spectacle. In 1922, to accommodate the growing interest in the sport, the Wimbledon Championships were moved from the All England Club to their current location.
By the turn of the 19th century Wimbledon grew from being a British competition to an international tennis tournament. Indeed since 1905 only two British men have won, Arthur Gore and Fred Perry, while the ladies have faired better, with 5 British winners Kitty McKane Godfree, Dorothy Round, Angela Mortimer, Ann Jones and Virginia Wade.
In 1977, the championships celebrated their centenary, each previous surviving winner received a silver medal from the then Club President HRH the Duke of Kent and HRH The Queen, presented winner Virginia Wade with the ladies trophy.
Famous participants
Over the years the Wimbledon Championship has showcased the talents of some of the greatest names in tennis, from Rene Lacoste, Henri Cochet, Billie Jean King, Ilie Nastase, Bjorn Borg, Martina Navratilova, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Pat Cash, John McEnroe, Steffi Graf and Pete Sampras. All of whom have added to the legendary atmosphere of Wimbledon.
Wimbledon Tennis Museum
Demand for Wimbledon tickets always far exceeds supply, but tennis fans can always visit the Wimbledon Tennis Museum. Opened in 1977, Wimbledon’s centenary year, the museum outlines the history of the tournament and relives some of its greatest moments, with state of the art exhibits.
