The bright green grass and crisp white tennis gear is almost upon us as Wimbledon opens for business on Monday. Tennis courts will be jam-packed across the globe as the world’s top tennis figures congregate in southwest London.
The bright green grass and crisp white tennis gear is almost upon us as Wimbledon opens for business on Monday. Tennis courts will be jam-packed across the globe as the world’s top tennis figures congregate in southwest London.
Boy, are we excited! Or should I say girl? The continued addition of equal pay for both the men’s and women’s singles winner is just one of the many elements that makes this sporting tournament that little bit more special.
High drama and incredibly exciting tennis is no doubt guaranteed. Novak Djokovic will be looking to impress as he heads into the All England Club as world No 1. Fan favourites Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will also have their say, with the pair owning a handful of Wimbledon titles between them.
Where’s Andy?
Thankfully, Andy Murray will be attending Wimbledon, just not in the singles. We can’t be too disappointed though, after returning from double hip surgery and career-threatening injuries, his appearance in the doubles tournament is a breath of fresh air.
It appears that an early retirement is on hold, for now…
An emotional Andy Murray did reveal he may not make this year’s Wimbledon, with his long-term hip injury posing the question of whether he could continue to play the sport he loves. Following his Australian Open defeat back in January, he spoke of how it may be his final appearance on a tennis court.
Thankfully, we’re now speaking of his return to Wimbledon. After securing the doubles trophy at Queens alongside partner Feliciano Lopez last week, it appears the tournament has arrived just in time to see (what may be) Andy’s final outing on the grass.
What to look out for…
Aside from the big boys in the men’s singles and Andy’s return in the doubles game, here are some other things we thought we should mention.
- Celeb spotting – It’s common knowledge that Wimbledon attracts the biggest stars from around the globe. David Beckham, Drake and Bradley Cooper have all attended over the last few years. The royals are also common visitors. You’re likely to find them on centre court, so if you’re lucky enough to grab a ticket, enjoy. If not, it’s just as exciting seeing them on the TV screen!
- Nick Kyrgios – Among the pedigree at the tournament, players like Kyrgios often attract spectators, both for good and bad reasons. Nick Kyrgios often makes the headlines for his talent and unorthodox methods on the court. However, his emotions sometimes get the better of him. His most recent antics were at Queens Club where he was fined for losing his temper when disagreeing with the line judge. His temper appears to let him down regularly, but his natural talent will no doubt light up the court this summer.
- Dress code – Since the tournament’s last update in 2014, players are now required to wear all white in order to play. This was a former tradition of the tournament, but it has now become mandatory. It’s even required that your pants must be white enough to ensure you’re allowed on the court!
Strict or necessary? Wimbledon officials justify this decision as they only want players to stand out for excellent play and nothing else. Luckily, there’s no strict dress requirements for spectators. However, there are a few forbidden items such as torn jeans and dirty trainers which are a no-go.
Will there be any surprising moments this year? Who knows? Anything can happen at Wimbledon.