Alcaraz, Djokovic, Medvedev, Swiatek, Garcia… They all meet on the lawn of Wimbledon, in London, to win the cup. The tennis championship is one of Britain’s most popular sporting events. Behind the great players, the forehands and the serves, the tournament hides a history, a heritage, traditions and records.
The first Wimbledon dates back to 1877 and it was first held on the courts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Worple Road in Wimbledon, South West London. Originally, it was a men’s only grand slam with 22 amateur players. Two hundred spectators were able to watch the first final of the tournament. Spencer Gore wins this edition. He received 12 guineas (about 690 pounds today). In 1884, women’s singles and men’s doubles were added. Then, in 1913, women’s doubles and mixed doubles were added. Due to its success, the event had to move in 1922 to Church Road and has not moved since. In 2009, Andy Murray, the Scot, and Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss, are the first players to play on an indoor court. Today, Wimbledon unites thousands of fans across its 18 tennis courts.
In the early 19th century, tennis was played in social circles. Players hid sweat marks by wearing white. A tradition that continues today since tennis players must dress only in white, including underwear and shoe soles, with the exception of a one-centimeter colored band. The custom also extends to the stands. Spectators compete in elegance, a designer dress for the ladies and a linen suit for the gentlemen.
From a culinary point of view, the tournament also has its specialty. Strawberries with cream accompanied by a Pimm’s, a lightly alcoholic refreshment, served with fruit, mint and lemonade, or a glass of champagne. The strawberries are the best in the country, grown in Kent, picked the day before and delivered at 5am. Approximately 140,000 servings are served during the event.
The player who has lifted the Wimbledon trophy the most times during his career is the Swiss Roger Federer. He won eight trophies between 2003 and 2017. He also has the longest streak of success on the circuit (2003-2007). In 2022, the unstoppable Serbian Novak Djokovic wins the tournament by defeating the Australian Nick Kyrgios in four sets. In 2010, Wimbledon is experiencing the most improbable scenario in tennis. It took eleven hours and five minutes – and almost three days – to determine the winner of the match between Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner. After 183 games, the American won in five sets.