Wimbledon Championships 2007 Guide
Tennis Tickets, Player Records, Travel Info & Tournament History
From June 25th to July 8th, watch Roger Federer & Amelie Mauresmo try to defend their singles titles at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in south-west London
The Wimbledon Championships, held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in south-west London, are arguably the most prestigious on the global tennis circuit. Along with the US Open, French Open and Australian Open, Wimbledon forms one of the four Majors, and in 2007 Roger Federer from Switzerland and Amelie Mauresmo from France will be attempting to defend their singles titles from June 25th to July 8th.
But what is the history of the tournament, and what is the best way to buy tennis tickets?
Wimbledon Tennis Championships: Tournament history
The Wimbledon Championships date back to 1877, when the All England Tennis and Croquet Club staged its first tournament. Only the men’s singles were held at this stage, although the ladies’ singles and men’s doubles started in 1884, while the ladies’ doubles and mixed doubles were added in 1913. The tournament was first staged in its present location in 1922, although the courts would be almost unrecognisable now after the extensive upgrades they have undergone over the years.
Until 1968, Wimbledon was for amateurs only, in marked contrast to the other Majors. However, the tide of professionalism couldn’t be held back for long, and now players are in for the money as much as the glory. 2007, though will mark the first year when the men’s singles and ladies’ singles champions will receive equal prize money. This has long been a source of controversy.
Wimbledon Tennis Championships: Player Records
Winner of most men’s singles titles: Pete Sampras (US) and William Renshaw (UK) – 7.
Winner of most ladies’ singles titles: Martina Navratilova (Czechoslovakia/ USA) – 9
Winner of most men’s doubles titles: Todd Woodbridge (Australia) – 6
Winner of most ladies’ doubles titles: Elizabeth Ryan (US) – 12
Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2007: Tennis tickets
Most tickets for the main courts – Centre Court and Courts One and Two – are sold by a public ballot, for which the deadline passed at the end of December. However, tickets can be bought at the gate on the day. You’ll be lucky to get into one of the main courts this way, but one of the joys of the tournament is that there are plenty of games going on at any one time, and the random mixed doubles encounter on court 12 can prove just as fascinating as the sold-out showdown between Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray or Serena Williams and Justine Henin-Hardenne.
Those wishing to enter are advised by the Club to get the Guide for Non-Ticket Holders by sending a self-addressed , stamped, envelope to: AELTC, PO Box 98, LONDON, SW19 5AE
Of course, as with all major events of this sort, if you really want tickets to Centre Court, shopping around on the internet is likely to prove fruitful.
Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2007: Travel information
If travelling by public transport from Central London, then Wimbledon is on the end of the District Line (the green line on the Underground Map). There is also a regular train service from London Waterloo.
The Club is on Church Road, a 15 minute walk from Wimbledon train station through Wimbledon Park. However, there will be shuttle buses operating throughout the tournament for those arriving at the station.
