The History Of Wimbledon

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament running in the world, beginning in 1877. The traditional grass surface game is held in the 'All England Club' in Wimbledon, London. It presents competition in many categories, including Men's and Women's singles, Men's and Women's double, mixed doubles and juniors. The tournament is held over the course of two weeks typically in June, running into the beginning of July. 

The game of 'Lawn tennis' has a strict dress code for the players and traditions such as eating strawberries cream is something that is still long running. Wimbledon is also known as one of the only sporting events that does not allow advertising surrounding the courts. Spencer Gore, a British tennis player, was the first winner of Wimbledon back in 1877. There was roughly two hundred spectators and each of them paid one shilling to watch

The ball girls and boys are of an average age of 15 and are selected from schools of Merton, Sutton, kingston and Wandsworth since 1969. Before then only boys would have this job. Nowadays there are 125 boys and 125 girls, making 250 of them every year. Being selected to become a ball boy or girl is a very prestigious act. You have to be nominated by your head teacher and pass written and physical tennis tests. 

The dress code at Wimbledon is very strict. The players most wear all white but the primary colours of the club are green and purple. Green uniform was worn by the linesmen, chair umpires and ball boys and girls until 2005. However, from 2006 until the present day the uniform is now navy blue and cream designed by well-known American fashion designer Ralph lauren. The contract for this design will be presented until 2015. 

The centre court opened in 1922 when they event moved venues. Centre and number one court are only used for the two weeks for Wimbledon, the surrounding 17 courts are used for other events throughout out the year that the club hosts. In 2009, centre court had a retractable roof made so that play could not be disrupted when it rained or ran late. Centre court holds around 15,000 spectators and court one hold 11,000.