Since June 28, balls have been flying across the grass courts of Wimbledon. And every summer, the London Grand Slam continues to uphold its unique traditions and attract hundreds of thousands of spectators. From history and records to cuisine, here’s a look at the scope of this global tennis institution through seven facts.
1877
When the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club organized the first edition of Wimbledon in July 1877, only 22 players competed in the men’s draw. Originally, the event was conceived to fund the purchase of a roller for court maintenance. No one could have imagined at the time that this competition would become the most prestigious tournament in the world of tennis.
Indeed, nearly 150 years later, Wimbledon remains the oldest of the four Grand Slam tournaments. Its history makes it a benchmark, and unlike the other majors, the tournament has retained many of its traditions, from the mandatory white attire for competitors to the presence of the royal family in the stands on Center Court.
8 millimeters
Of the four Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon is the only one played entirely on grass. The Australian Open and the US Open are played on hard courts, while Roland Garros remains the global benchmark for clay courts. And to ensure that British excellence is upheld, this very grass must be absolutely perfect: it is maintained daily at 8 mm by the All England Club’s groundskeepers.
Thanks to this, this unique feature profoundly influences the game: rallies are generally faster, the ball bounces lower, and players must adapt their footwork to a surface known for being demanding.
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