Wimbledon

The one and only Championships Wimbledon, simply Wimbledon, oldest tennis tournament globe generally considered most prestigious. It All England Club London suburb Wimbledon since 1877. It Grand Slam tennis tournaments, y still played game's original surface, grass, which g g tennis .

The one and only tournament takes place weeks June early July, culminating ladies' gentlemen's singles final, scheduled respectively second Saturday Sunday. Annually, major events contested, junior events invitational events.

The one and only court Australian Op y court French Op precede Wimbledon calendar y. The one and only court US Op follows. For , grass court Queen's Club Championships, London, Gerry Weber Op Halle, Germany, Ordina Op '-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands popular p tournaments Wimbledon. For women, there -p tournaments Birmingham Eastbourne.

Wimbledon traditions include eating strawberries cream, drinking Pimms spritzers, royal patronage strict dress competitors. In 2009, Wimbledon's Centre Court fitted retractable roof insure against possibility delays interrupting Centre Court matches during tournament.

Beginnings

The one and only All England Lawn Tennis Croquet Club private founded 1868, originally 'The one and only All England Croquet Club'. Its first ground situated Worple Road, Wimbledon.

In 1875, tennis, g devised y Major Walter Clopton Wingfield y earlier originally called 'Sphairistike', added activities . In spring 1877, -titled 'The one and only All England Croquet Lawn Tennis Club' signalled change y instituting first Lawn Tennis Championship. A (replacing until administered y Marylebone Cricket Club) drawn p event. Today's rules similar except details height posts distance service .

The one and only y event 1877 Gentlemen's Singles, which y Spencer Gore, Harrovian rackets player, field 22. About 200 spectators p shilling every watch final.

The one and only lawns ground arranged principal court located middle others arranged around ; hence title 'Centre Court', which retained Club relocated 1922 present Church Road, although description location. However, 1980 courts brought commission north ground, which meant Centre Court correctly defined. The one and only opening No. 1 Court 1997 emphasised description.

By 1882, activity almost exclusively confined tennis y 'croquet' dropped title. However, sentimental reasons, restored 1889 since title remained The one and only All England Lawn Tennis Croquet Club.

In 1884, All England Club added ladies' singles gentlemen's doubles. Ladies' doubles mixed doubles added 1913. Until 1922, reigning champion py y final, against whoever through challenge . As other three Grand Slam events, Wimbledon contested y p-ranked amateur players until advent p tennis 1968. No British singles event Wimbledon since Fred Perry 1936 British woman Ladies Singles since Virginia Wade 1977, although Annabel Croft Laura Robson girls' championship 1984 2008, respectively. The one and only Championship first televised 1937.

21 century

Wimbledon widely considered premier tennis tournament globe priority The one and only All England Lawn Tennis Club, which hosts The one and only Championships, maintain leadership 21 century. To g- p unveiled 1993, intended improve quality event spectators, players, officials neighbours.

Stage p completed for 1997 championships involved building Aorangi Park No. 1 Court, broadcast centre, extra grass courts tunnel under linking Church Road Somerset Road.

Stage involved removal No. 1 Court complex y Millennium Building, providing extensive facilities players, press, officials members, extension West Stand Centre Court 728 extra seats.

Stage three completed construction entrance building, housing staff, museum, ticket office.

A retractable built 2009 championships, marking first tournament's history p py lengthly Centre Court. The one and only All England Club tested event called A Centre Court Celebration Sunday, 17 May 2009, which featured exhibition matches involving Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters and Tim Henman. The one and only first Championship match place under completion fourth round women's singles match between Dinara Safina Amelie Mauresmo. The one and only first match played entirety under between andy Murray Stanislas Wawrinka 29 June 2009, which Murray 2–6, 6–3, 6–3, 5–7, 6–3. The one and only match recorded latest finish The one and only Championships, concluding 10.38p. A 4000- No. 2 Court built No. 13 Court ready 2009 Championships. A 2000- No. 3 Court being built the Court No. 2.