Wimbledon is likely the most renowned of all the Grand Slam tournaments. It's also the oldest. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) held its first tennis tournament in 1877.
Nearly 150 years have passed since that first event, and the game we call tennis is much changed from those days. Tennis tournaments have evolved, too, leaving a litter of historical markers in their wake.
The history of Wimbledon lays claim to its share of those game-changing moments, and then some. As we approach the 147th Wimbledon tennis tournament, Superprof looks back at:
- the moments that define Wimbledon's tennis legacy
- this tournament's impact on sports, particularly tennis
- how the All England Grand Slam tournament has changed over time
- some of Wimbledon's most remarkable events
The Legacy of Wimbledon: A Brief History
The Wimbledon Windmill predates the first Lawn Tennis Championship by more than 60 years. This Grade II-listed structure boasts a chequered past, which includes forced seizure. The public rose up against the Manor lord, protesting the town common's enclosure.
Today, this landmark serves as a museum. But back then, across that open space, lie the All England Croquet Club. In 1868, when croquet was popular, six officers from a sports magazine secured a land parcel suitable for a croquet club. However, the craze didn't last long.
Major Walter Clopton Winfield introduced the club to lawn tennis in 1875. This game had no trouble finding players; soon, the club dedicated one lawn exclusively to tennis. A mere two years passed before the club changed its name to include 'Lawn Tennis'. It hosted its first gentlemen's tennis singles championship in July 1877.
Lawn tennis will never rank among our great games.
Spencer Gore, Wimbledon's first champion tennis player
Mr Gore's opinions aside, tennis' popularity continued to grow. By 1882, it had become the club's dominant sport; the centre's stewards decided to drop 'croquet' from its name. However, they reinstated it in 1899 for nostalgia's sake, and as a historical footnote.
Women clamoured to play tennis too, so the club debuted the Ladies' Singles (1884), in tandem with Gentlemen's Doubles competition. Nearly 30 years later, Ladies' and Mixed Doubles entered the tournament line-up. By then, the club had well and truly cemented itself as the place to play tennis in England.
By the early 20s, tennis' popularity forced the club to relocate, as the old grounds were no longer expansive enough. In 1922, the French tennis superstar, Suzanne Lenglen, was such a draw that tennis enthusiasts turned out in droves to watch her play. The club's current location, on Church Road, opened just in time to welcome her - and those throngs.
[King George V] gave three blows on a gong, the tarpaulins were removed, the first match started – and the rain came down.
Richard Milward, Wimbledon historian
That year's championships were indeed quite soggy. Still, passion for the game continued to grow. The club expanded by 4.5 hectares in 1967, but didn't develop its new holdings until 1981.
Instead, through a lease to the New Zealand Sports and Social Club, that portion earned the name Aorangi Park. Today, we know it better as Henman Hill, taking its name from the British tennis star Tim Henman.
If you're counting down to Wimbledon, you might consider building extra time in your schedule to explore these sites. Note that the windmill museum is open only on weekends, so it might get a bit crowded. However, Henman Hill is always open; you could pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the day. Always provided this year's Wimbledon championships don't see rain, like the 1922 tournaments did.
Evolution of Wimbledon Through the Years
This article's first segment details the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club's history. Before talking about all the AELTC's changes and innovations, we must clear up a confusing point.
This tournament takes place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in the London suburb of Wimbledon.
Wimbledon's Influence on Tennis and Sports Culture
Noteworthy events litter the history of Wimbledon. Furthermore, as the oldest and arguably most venerated Grand Slam tournament, its influence reaches far beyond tennis. And sports culture, for that matter. This timeline shows us some of the initiatives Wimbledon and the AELTC have spearheaded.
1954
Wimbledon debuts its ticket resale scheme
Departing guests' show court tickets resell; proceeds donated to charity
1977
Wimbledon opens the Lawn Tennis Museum
The facility showcases lawn tennis history
2001
The AELTC launches the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative
The initiative includes school visits and coaching sessions
2001
The AELTC establishes its Learning Department
The initiative offers curriculum-based workshops to kids 5-18 years old, as well as graduate and postgraduate students.
2002
The Road To Wimbledon launches
The national 14 and Under tournament goes on to be the largest Junior grass tournament in the UK.
2003
The AELTC begins sponsorship of the Wimbledon Village Fair
2013
The AELTC launches the Wimbledon Foundation
A community charity outreach program
2014
The Wimbledon Foundation launches the Road to Wimbledon in India initiative
A partnership with the All India Tennis Association to mentor junior players
2015
The Wimbledon Foundation launches the Health and Wellbeing Fund
Grants given to improve residents' health and wellbeing
2015
The Wimbledon Foundation launches its Sport for Development initiative
The Foundation supports up to 2,000 underprivileged children in Delhi
2016
The Wimbledon Foundation establishes its Get Set, Get Active fund
Initiatives to help local residents become more physically active.
2018
The Foundation partners with WaterAid
To help fund water projects in Malawi, Ethiopia, and Nepal
This timeline traces the AELTC's path from a purely tennis-oriented organisation to an entity with a global impact. We see that this Foundation now embraces initiatives that have nothing to do with sports. Sports clubs around the world also engage in this practice.
Which charitable advances will Wimbledon 2024 deliver? The tournament is just around the corner. Be sure to check the schedule so you don't miss any of the action - or important announcements.
Memorable Moments in Wimbledon History
The Wimbledon Championships gave us so many delightful moments, it's hard to pick the most memorable among them. We could cite Rod Laver winning the first Wimbledon contest of the Open Era (1968). Or when a very young (17 years old!) Boris Becker started the tournament unseeded and came from behind to claim the cup (1985).
Steffi Graf's Grand Slam year (1988) included her Wimbledon win. The Williams sisters faced off - and teamed up for doubles, six times on these grass courts. Cliff Richards took Centre Court for Singing in the Rain during a rain delay (in 1996). The longest game in Wimbledon history - and in tennis history, played out on these courts, across three days.
This marathon match played out in 2010, on Court 18 - far removed from where all the tournament excitement is. Neither player ranked within the Top 15. John Isner (ranked 19th) faced off against Nicolas Mahut, who stood at 148 in the rankings. Still, they paired well, exhibiting matching levels of competence and stamina.
We might call their first two sets trial runs, with 6-4 and 3-6 as scores (with Isner leading). These players performed equally well during the next two sets: 6-7 and 7-6. The fifth set made Wimbledon history: 70-68, across 138 games.
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament that eschews tiebreakers in the last set.
The longest game in Wimbledon history notwithstanding, plenty more drama played out on these grass courts. For instance, Pete Sampras' 2002 defeat must be one of the most shocking upsets in the history of Wimbledon.
Sampras was the closest one may get to being a Wimbledon institution. He tied with Roger Federer for the most wins; seven each (at that time). Considering his record, his final All England match was a massive come-down.
He should have dispatched 145th-ranked George Bastl. Instead, the 'lucky loser' Bastl claimed the first two sets. Sampras roared back in the third and fourth, but then lost the fifth. Everyone reeled in shock, Sampras most of all.
George Bastl never won another Grand Slam event. Pete Sampras shook off his loss and vowed to return to Wimbledon the next year. He didn't make it, and never played Singles at Wimbledon again.
This prestigious Grand Slam tournament takes place in England, but no British Men's player had claimed the Singles title since 1936. In 2010, tennis enthusiasts pinned their hopes on Scotsman Andy Murray, but he lost to Roger Federer. They had the right player, but the wrong match.
Murray faced off against Novak Djokovic three years later, breaking Britain's 77-year no-win drought. In the aftermath, publicity was so overwhelming that many opine it caused Andy's losses over his next five Grand Slam events.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are on the Wimbledon 2024 contenders' list. Will they face off again? If so, will this match make Wimbledon history? The tournament's right around the corner; stay tuned.
If you are interested in learning or improving your tennis skills, visit Superprof and find a long catalogue of tennis coaches all over Australia. Search for "tennis lessons gold coast," for example, followed by Superprof, and you'll have access to tennis lessons near you!
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