The Championships, Wimbledon, commonly known simply as Wimbledon or The Championships is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and widely considered the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London, since 1877 and is played on outdoor grass courts, and since 2009 with a retractable roof over Centre Court, and since 2019, over No. 1 Court.
Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the others being the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open. Since the Australian Open shifted to hardcourt in 1988, Wimbledon is the only major still played on grass, which is the traditional tennis playing surface.
The tournament traditionally took place over two weeks in late June and early July, starting on the last Monday in June and culminating with the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Singles Finals, scheduled for the Saturday and Sunday at the end of the second week. However, changes to the tennis calendar in 2015 have seen the event moved back by a week to begin in early July. Five major events are held each year, with additional junior and invitational competitions also taking place.
Wimbledon traditions include a strict all-white dress code for competitors and royal patronage. Strawberries and cream are traditionally consumed at the tournament. In 2017, fans consumed 34,000 kg (33 tons) of English strawberries and 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of cream.
The tournament is also notable for the absence of sponsor advertising around the courts, with the exception of Rolex, which provides timekeeping technology during matches, and Robinsons barley water.
Broadcasters[]
Country | Broadcaster(s) |
---|---|
Europe | |
Europe | Eurosport |
Ireland | Eir Sport |
Netherlands | Ziggo Sport, Ziggo Sport Totaal |
United Kingdom | BBC Sport |
Americas | |
Latin America | ESPN |
Brazil | SporTV |
Canada | TSN, RDS |
Mexico | Televisa |
United States | ESPN, ABC, Tennis Channel |
Asia | |
Indian subcontinent | Star Sports |
Southeast Asia | Fox Sports |
Oceania | |
Australia | Seven Network, 7two, Fox Sports |
New Zealand | Spark Sport, TVNZ |