Whether you are attending Wimbledon or watching from home, we thought it was only appropriate to give you all of the (insider) information you need for this year’s event. Starting on Monday, 30th, the event will last two weeks, culminating with the men’s final on Sunday 13th July, and, luckily for our members, we have the ultimate insider to make sure you are completly covered…whether you’re planning on camping for tickets or you simply want to know where to get the best coffee on the grounds!
As someone who has spent more time in the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club than some professional tennis players, I feel equipped to share my insights on attending the most prestigious of all the Grand Slams, Wimbledon.
I have begged, borrowed and worked my way into Wimbledon in so many different ways, from the heavenly days of Ticketmaster releases, to camping outside the grounds and even the infamous Queue. After working as a court attendant at the event for years, I can say that there’s truly no place like Wimbledon.
So, if you care to learn more, stick around. I may even share the story of when I held a shade umbrella over Roger Federer’s head during a quarter-final, or perhaps when I bumped into Novak on my walk home through Wimbledon Village. But let’s talk about that later…
Let’s start with the tickets. Did you manage to secure debentures? Or were you a lucky recipient of this year’s ballot? Never fear, there’s always the queue, or quite frankly, the BBC.
There are countless ways to experience the event, and this year I will be doing so from the comfort of my sofa… unlike my pregnant friend who has never been before and has tickets to the men’s semi-finals day, a few days after her due date. Praying the inevitable stress of the final won’t send her into labour on Centre Court, but if Roland Garros is anything to go by, I hope the medics will be on hand and prepped…
The Queue
- For a detailed blow by blow, you can’t really do better than Wimbledon’s own guide here.
- I have camped on numerous occasions, and while it is a fun experience, it is also very draining and you feel like you’ve done a whole day before you even get into the grounds between 10-11am.
- If you are more of a casual spectator though, joining the queue on some of the quieter days around the grounds, second Thursday or Friday will give you a great feel for the event, and a less in demand queue. You can often join the queue for 8am, and be able to wander the grounds by 11am.
The Tickets
- If you have ever experienced the queue or camping, there is no greater feeling than rocking up to Gate 5 in your nice clean outfit ready for a day on Centre. You don’t have to concern yourself with such matters of practicality and comfort, as the most energetic thing you’ll be doing is finding your seats and doing the occasional Pimms run.
- Tickets are provided for the show courts, including Centre Court, No 1, Court 2 and Court 3. A ground pass gives you access to the grounds but no show courts. With a ground pass you can queue for access to unreserved seating on Court 3, and court 12 and 18, all of which are larger courts and should get good matches especially in the first few days of the Championships.
- Notable days to attend Wimbledon include “Super Saturday” when special sporting guests are invited to the royal box to watch the action on Centre Court. In recent years, the tournament has opted for play to continue across middle sunday, which was famously a day of rest in the middle of the event. This now means that the second Monday, which used to be “manic Monday” is slightly less manic, as the fourth round matches are spread over two days.
- Once you get into the second week, the outside courts (non-show courts) will be filled with doubles and juniors play, which is still entertaining, but something to note if you are keen to see any men’s or women’s tennis with a Ground Pass. You can always sit on Henman Hill and watch the big screens for the show court matches.
- Play starts at 11am on the outside courts, and not until 1pm for show courts. However, if you’d like to catch a glimpse of Jannik Sinner or Coco Gauff, players are invited to practice on outside courts during the second week, so getting into the grounds early is always a good idea.
- Above court 18 is a great way to view the grounds as a whole which is hard to do elsewhere.
The Dress Code
- Remember the facts. You will be in the sun (at least for part of the day, depending on seats), the courts are made of grass – hay fever sufferers take note, and it could be quite warm.
- I do think different attire is required depending on your tickets, or lack thereof. You are unlikely to want to wear something silk or too stiff if you’ve had to get dressed in the car park where camping takes place. But if you are swanning in at 11am, you can do as you please.
- My recommendation for ground pass or camping tickets would be to opt for a lightweight trouser, think chic linen or cotton trousers, with a cotton poplin shirt, comfortable shoes and definitely a hat. This could be a sporty cap, or something more classic like a boater, the world is your oyster.
- If you are one of the lucky ones with Centre tickets, I’d say you can have a bit more fun and think slightly less about practicality, knowing you’ll be in your seat on court for most of the day. Unless you are heading for the Royal Box, I would got for a sporty nylon skirt Tibi paired with an oversized but easy cotton jacket (think The Row Jolene jacket) or a lightweight seersucker shirt you can wear like a jacket, some sculptural sunglasses, and a walkable shoe like some velvet mary-janes or Miu Miu canvas and leather boat shoes. You’ll also be needing a hat.
The Key Players
Aside from the Brits, who will be getting more coverage and pressure than anyone in the world, I will give you some other names to keep tabs on during the two week event.
- There are some US men who can make a real impact at Wimbledon (injuries permitting) with the speed of grass courts, including Tommy Paul, US Open finalist Taylor Fritz and big serving Ben Shelton.
- Heading up the Italians is my personal favourite and love, Jannik Sinner, but you have to keep an eye on Flavio Cobolli, Lorenzo Musetti and former Wimbledon finalist, Matteo Berretini. If you’ve not seen Jasmine Poalini play, she is a must watch on the women’s side at Wimbledon.
- Meanwhile my favourites for the women’s title are either Coco Gauff or Aryna Sabalenka. I have hopes for Saba-Sinner champs at this year’s event.
- Alex Eala, the big hitting, 20 year old Filipino and Joao Fonseca, the superstar from Brazil and Next Gen 24 winner are sure to draw a crowd on outside courts.
- I’m still in a bate with Carlos for winning that Roland Garros final, but you know, he’ll be around… if he can maintain his concentration like he did at the French Open.
The food
- I dream about a Lavazza coffee drink you can only really get inside the grounds of Wimbledon. It’s a blended coffee drink and tastes like nectar from the gods, and you must seek it out if you are attending this year’s event (even if just so I can live vicariously through you). Aside from that, I tend to be of the opinion that the food isn’t the point of Wimbledon, especially if you have Centre tickets. I usually grab a sandwich before heading to the court and getting comfortable. There’s always time between matches / sets to go on a strawberries and cream run later on.
- If you aren’t going to a show court, I would recommend hanging out in the area between gate 5 and centre court, where there’s a little cafe and band that plays in the afternoons. This is where you’ll also find the main restaurant in the grounds, The Wingfield, where you can pre-book a fixed price menu for lunch: £136.00 per person and afternoon tea: £41.00 per person.
- Henman Hill regulars know that a picnic is always a good idea, and you can bring a cool bag of treats (needs to be soft sided to enter) should you prefer. You are permitted to bring your own drinks too, which is quite handy as the Pimms queues do get intense. You can bring two Pimm’s cans or a bottle of wine per person.
- If you are viewing from the comfort of your home, here are some recipes I’d recommend making during the champs;
Alison Roman’s old fashioned strawberry cake – if you only make one thing, let it be this.
The simplest of recipes, also from Alison, but a must: new take on strawberries and cream.
Something I discovered last year when looking for a NA version of Pimms, you can make a version without alcohol, replacing Pimm’s with balsamic vinegar. I know it sounds strange, but honestly it tastes exactly the same, it’s weird.
Ok all of these recommendations are from Alison Roman nearly, but she’s the best! Her tomato tart is so delicious and feels like the perfect thing to slice up while listening the Clare Balding’s dulcet tones.
The coverage
This year, is the first year in 88 years that will allow secondary broadcast coverage of the Championships, with the BBC as the primary broadcaster, but TNT sports (formerly Eurosport) taking over the 90 minute highlights show, and also streaming the men’s final live.
This might also mean we get some of the TNT sports regular commentators such as Laura Robson, Mats Wilander and here’s hoping… Jim Courier.
Do listen out for one of my favourite BBC commentators, Sam Smith, who is always thoughtful, kind and professional about her reporting.
Last year, Wimbledon coverage on Instagram was some of the best, so keep an eye on that for some fun content.
