Wimbledon The Grounds

An experienced groundsman can run his hand over the grass and tell how much moisture there is in the turf and how long it will take to dry out.

As hallowed turf is to Wembley so too is it at Wimbledon.

The grounds are meticulously fed, watered, trimmed, de-humidified

and treated to sunbed sessions!

Number one court. It takes about a week to cover all the seats.

De-humidifiers

sunbeds used during winter to compensate for less daylight and sunshine

The Serving Ace Meeting Tree captures a tennis player frozen in time, poised mid-serve reflecting the moment of quiet before an explosive shot. The artist is Mark Reed. The tree was unveiled in 2023.

We were trying to find the squirrel - not a real one, it's part of the sculpture.

Billie Jean King rents one of those apartments every year

Henman Hill

The longest match was played on number 18 court from the 22nd - 24th June 2010. John Isner (USA) beat Nicholas Mahut (France) 6-4 3-6 6-7(7-9) 7-6(7-3)

70-68 Match duration was 11 hours 5 minutes. After that the tie breakers were introduced.

Centre court

The Royal Box

   
The previous years' score stays on the scoreboard for a year

From Titanic survivor to Olympic Gold

Third down, the name R. N. Williams, has an amazing history. Aged 21 Richard Norris Williams boarded the Titanic to continue his career as a tennis player in the US. When the ship started sinking he jumped into the water which was -2  degrees and waited until lifeboats arrived. After entering the lifeboat, he spent several hours knee-deep in the freezing water which  left his legs so severely frostbitten that the Carpathia's doctor wanted to amputate them. Williams said no and opted instead to work through the injury by simply getting up and walking around every two hours, around the clock. It worked, 12 weeks later he played against Karl Howell Behr who was also a Titanic survivor. In the Paris Olympics of 1924 Williams competed in mixed doubles with Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman and won gold.

What a great outcome.

We got to keep the lanyards

🎾  Be safe and well 🎾 

Polly x