Wimbledon - See You Soon
‘Quiet please, players are ready for play….’ politely requests the chair umpire. Play is about to begin on the hallowed lawn of SW19.
And remain quiet they do. The crowds at Wimbledon famous for being so silent during points that one could hear a pin drop. This year, sadly, there will be silence. Not the polite silence of a respectful crowd, but the eerie silence of the gates of the All-England club being shut.
With the summer showcase of tennis being cancelled for the first time since World War II, there will be no 2020 Wimbledon Championships. And for those who so dearly love the sport, as well as those who love to tune into the championships every year for their fix of tennis, this is a huge shame.
Covid-19, the ‘’invisible enemy’’, has stripped us of the chance to see defending champion Novak Djokovic defying gravity by sliding all over the grass surface of Centre Court, or the chance to see if Serena Williams could add a jaw-dropping 8th title to her already glistening résumé. And the worrying thing is that there is no guarantee we will see any top tier tennis this year, and maybe even further into 2021.
The grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club will be shut this summer for the first time since World War II. Photo Credit: Anthony Upton/ AELTC
There’s nothing quite like the championships. Those lucky enough to have been will know that every inch of lawn within the aesthetic surroundings of the southwest London suburb is mowed to perfection, showcasing gorgeous shades of green the cameras can never quite do justice to.
Tickets are hard to come by, a public ballot is offered each year but the demand far exceeds the supply. If you’re not lucky on the ballot, hope is not lost. Wimbledon is one of the only major sporting events which still offers a queueing service for tickets. Eager tennis fans can camp overnight across the road at Wimbledon Park Golf Club.
It can be a tiring process, with queuer’s getting a patchy night’s sleep and waking up at sunrise which, during the summer months in the northern hemisphere, can be as early as 5 am. The queue is always worth it though. In an age when tickets to events are sold out in seconds online, it is refreshing to know that true, passionate tennis fans can be rewarded. Those who queue overnight can expect some of the best seats in the house on Centre Court, No. 1 or No. 2 Court.
Eager Wimbledon queuers await the grounds being officially opened for the days action. The overnight queue is one of the many unique traditions at the All England Club. Photo Credit: Mike King
The ambience in the grounds is something to behold, with players mingling among the spectators wilfully. They are easily recognisable drowned in all-white clothing, the tennis players tan, and an ID credential around their neck. Lovers of the sport can get within touching distance of their favourite players, whether watching them at Aorangi park; the practice courts, or on one of the 18 official match courts used during the tournament.
Iconic moments on Centre Court: Rafa Nadal celebrates in the twilight after defeating rival Roger Federer in the thrilling 2008 Men’s Final. Photo Credit: tennis.com
One of the standout features of Wimbledon is the respect to tradition. Players must wear all white clothing & accessories as soon as they step on to the match court. Once upon a time 3 of the 4 grand slam tournaments were played on grass. Now, it is just Wimbledon where we get to see serve & volley rewarded and the beautiful crafty shots that are so effective on the lawn.
There is essentially no branding on any of the courts or around the grounds. Only a tiny Slazenger logo (Slazenger being the official ball supplier since 1902) can be seen on the exterior of the courts as well as the official match clock. And so on each court, the focus is on the players and the tennis. Nothing else. And given the extraordinary athleticism being displayed by these elite athletes, that’s the way it should be.
Centre court has seen some of sports most iconic moments; ‘’You cannot be serious’’ roared America’s John McEnroe to the chair umpire in what would become an immortal phrase in tennis. Martina Navratilova winning a record 9 Wimbledon singles titles. Rafael Nadal finally overcoming Roger Federer in the dimming twilight of the 2008 Men’s Final, widely accepted as one the of greatest sporting contests of all time. The Duchess of Kent consoling a distraught Jana Novotna following her 1993 final loss to Steffi Graf. Last summer, Novak Djokovic saving 2 championship points before eventually defeating Roger Federer 13-12 in the first-ever 5th set deciding tie-break at 12-12. The list goes on, and it will continue to go on. Just not for a little while.
We won’t see any championship points being saved this year, we won’t see any angry outbursts, we won’t see ball kids pulling the cover over the grass courts as it starts to rain, we won’t see famous faces in the royal box, we won’t see Henman hill packed supporting a hometown favourite, we won’t see moments of respect and sportsmanship, we won’t see chalk flying as a ball hits the line and we won’t see some of the finest athletes on the planet compete for tennis’ grand prize.
No, we won’t see any of that this year. But one day, not so far from now, we will.
Wimbledon you will be missed dearly, but we are so excited for when we see you again.
