Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, is steeped in tradition and known for its fair share of surprises. Here are some interesting tidbits about players, past champions, and unexpected moments:
Player Peculiarities:
- Serving Sensations: John Isner of the US holds the record for the longest ever Wimbledon match, a grueling 11-hour, 5-minute battle against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in 2010!
- Shouting Stars: Maria Sharapova's powerful game is accompanied by equally powerful on-court shouts, making her one of the loudest players ever.
- Royal Treatment (Almost): Royalty attends Wimbledon, but players have to earn their way into the Royal Box for post-match tea!
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Surprising Wins and Upsets:
- Grass Court Giant Killers: While Wimbledon favors players comfortable on grass, upsets do happen! In 2000, American Venus Williams, known for her dominance on hard courts, shocked the world by winning the Ladies' Singles title. Her title-chasing story continued, as she won 4 more titles in London.
- Experience Isn't Everything: In 2017, 15-year-old Cori Gauff, a complete qualifier unknown, defeated her childhood idol, five-time champion Venus Williams, in the first round.
- Gentlemen's Drama: In 2002, an unseeded player - George Bastl, defeated the heavily favored Pete Sampras in the second round. It remains one of the most unexpected victories in Wimbledon history form the American's point of view, as Sampras has won 7 of the last 8 Championships in London!
Beyond the Baseline:
- Strict Dress Code: Players must wear almost entirely white! This tradition dates back to the 19th century and adds to the tournament's unique elegance.
- Strawberries and Cream Delight: Indulging in a portion of strawberries and cream is a quintessential Wimbledon experience. Over 100,000 portions are consumed during the tournament!
- Queuing Up for Glory: Queuing, or waiting in line, is a national pastime in Britain. Wimbledon embraces this tradition with fans happily waiting for hours to secure coveted tickets!
- Feathered Friends: Forget pigeons causing trouble! Wimbledon employs a dedicated hawk named Rufus to patrol the courts and keep pesky pigeons at bay.
- Ball Boffins: Over 54,000 tennis balls are used throughout the tournament! New balls are introduced after every seven games to ensure optimal performance. These used balls aren't wasted – they're sold to the public as a cherished Wimbledon memento.
- Speedy Serves: The fastest recorded serve at Wimbledon belongs to Taylor Dent (USA) who clocked a whopping 147 mph (236 km/h) in 2009!
- Grass Court Perfection: Maintaining the pristine grass courts is a meticulous task. The blades are kept at a precise 8mm length, ensuring a consistent playing surface for all competitors.
- Royal Recognition: Winning Wimbledon is a prestigious honor, and champions are presented with a silver gilt trophy. However, they don't get to keep it! The real trophy goes back to the All England Lawn Tennis Club, while the winners receive a replica to commemorate their victory.
These are just a few of the many interesting facts that make Wimbledon such a captivating tournament. From record-breaking matches to unexpected champions, Wimbledon continues to surprise and delight audiences worldwide.
Category: Tennis news
Tags: Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic