Hopefully there will be some new information for you too. I don't want to repeat myself with the same old stuff from my other Wimbledon posts.
New to me-
The playing season for tennis at the club is from May through September on the outer courts (all the courts except for center, 1 and 2). The grass is re-seeded in October every year.
The center court and courts 1 and 2 are re-seeded in August, shortly after the tournament ends. They are played on less frequently. The center court grass was planted last week and it is already growing! The desired length of the grass is 8 mm on all courts. Here is center court with growing grass.
Center court has had a retractable roof since 2009. If the roof is closed for or during a match, it will not be re-opened during that match. Too much of a hassle. On court #1 they are putting on a retractable roof. Work on it stops around matches. It will be completed in 2019. Here they are resuming work on it.
The company IBM is responsible for all IT related issues, including keeping track of tournament statistics. Here is their nerve center.
As you enter the club, the scores are also posted.
Rufus the hawk and his hawk buddies are trained to fly around the tennis court and scare off the birds that are messing up the grass. I did not see him personally, but saw him on video. Watch out!
The BBC has the largest tv studio at the tournament. It costs a lot to broadcast the tournament. Other tv companies shell out lots of money to do so. Here is the BBC's studio you often see on tv during the tournament.
Tickets to the tournament are reserved seating for a whole day on a particular court for center court and courts 1 and 2. A ballot system is used to determine who is eligible to buy those tickets. Otherwise you stand in line on the day of the matches and buy a general admission ticket that will get you into any of the outer courts. Seating there is limited, so you have to run to your favorite court and nab a seat. Do not leave that seat ever or you will lose it to another person. No bathroom or food break for you!
In 1909 the Wimbledon colors of white, green and blue were established. White represents the official uniform color of the club. Green is for the grass. Purple...no idea. You see these colors all around the area and especially in the main interview room. Players are required to speak to the media after a match. If they don't, they will get fined. Here is that room.
The players enter through these doors for the tournament. They check in and go on their way from here.
The court with seating in the photo below is court #2. Surrounding it are outer courts.
All of the players at the tournament get paid prize money for participating. Of course the winners receive more money. This office is an important place.
There are 380 full members of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. They pay 100 GPB annually to belong. The process to become a member is lengthy, including being nominated and vetted. The club wants to know if you will fit into their expectations and participate in their social activities (as well as follow their dress rules to play tennis there). At the end of each year you are evaluated to see how you did. If you fail to meet the club's expectations, you will be denied membership forever more.
Former tournament players (around 100) are invited to be honorary members free of charge. They are often foreigners. If they are ever in London, they can play tennis there for free.
Our tour guide spoke about "designated debenture tickets". Not sure I completely understand what that is. I understand that you can buy a reserved ticket for the tournament that is good for 5 years. Costs a pretty penny!
250 ball boys and girls are chosen among local kids by application. There is a rigorous training involved with tests on fitness, standing still, bouncing the ball correctly, manners and rules of the game.
Here is a photo of the score of this year's men's finals on center court.
The Wingfield cafe serves delicious food, including strawberries and cream (a Wimbledon favorite).
The museum is worth visiting. New this year is a virtual reality experience complete with head gear. A movie is shown in 3D and a 360 degree view about the tournament and features clips from the 2016 men's and women's singles finals. It feels like you are on court with the players.
A lot of history is covered about the game of tennis. The balls used to be filled with hair, sand, wool and cloth and was covered by leather. It did not bounce well.
This fancy girl's dress was from a fancy dance party in Simla India in 1893. It is based on a badminton outfit. That game was played in India and brought to England by a British officer.
Of course there is a lot shown about the history of the tournament. These photos show the recent domination of certain players since the year 2000.
This is a sign a fan made that anticipated Roger Federer's win this year at the tournament - making it his 19th grand slam title.
The trophies are kept by the museum. All the winners' names from past tournaments are engraved on them. The recent winners' names are engraved on a new bottom part of the trophy as there is no room for any more names on the cup.
Definitely worth a half day visit to this hallowed ground of tennis!
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