THE WIMBLEDON

Rain has started falling in India and brown lifeless earth is showing the signs of life with green colour. The same transformation can be seen in Tennis world, as courts turned Green from Red. Under the scorching sun of British summer, the most high profile event in tennis is about to start on 3^rd of July. The only grand slam that is played on traditional grass court even today, the oldest tennis tournament, The Championships-THE WIMBLEDON.

From presenting Silver flower basket to 1^st ever Ladies winner in 1884 to giving away 28.1 Million GBP of total price money, the tournament has come a long way. But there are things that are unchanged since the inception of tournament in 1877. Tradition, is the word that briefly describes the Wimbledon. From the precisely cut 8mm grass to Strawberries and cream, from full white outfits of players to uniforms to officials, from ball kids to “clapping only for very good point” crowd, from wooden net holders to green and violet merchandises, everything is same. Other than this, Wimbledon is the only tournament in the world that refer competitions as Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s instead of normal Men’s and Women’s. And, how can we forget The Royal Box at the Centre Court? The box reserved especially for the Royal Family members and few invited guests. The tradition within this tradition is the members of Royal Box have strict dress code and the players are supposed to bow in front of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Welsh. And not to forget the trophy presented to the winner in Gentlemen’s single winner, the only Golden trophy of the tour.

Centre Court with roof on

The only change that was made in past few years is introduction of roof on Centre court. But that change makes SW19 looks no less than Paradise. This year, 140^th edition of the tournament will be played. Everything will move on as it has been moving for years. The All England Lawn Tennis Club still looks like the Britain of 1960’s. The organisers and crew makes sure that these traditions remain intact for the years and years to come. Few years down the line and everything will still look the same. Players will still wear white, people will still eat strawberries with cream and the most special member of security team and Wimbledon family, Rufus, will still guard the sky.

Rufus

These traditions are something that sets Wimbledon apart from the other tournaments in tennis, makes it more prestigious. Maybe that is the reason the winner of Wimbledon earns more respect, maybe this is why every tennis player dreams to be a Wimbledon Champion. Once a Wimbledon Champion always a Wimbledon Champion, and no one will forget your name. That’s why they say, Wimbledon is not a competition, it’s a Pursuit of Greatness.

All Images by: Wimbledon Official Page