Wimbledon Championships : Top 6 Unknown Interesting Facts You Probably Don’t Know

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The Wimbledon championships is widely regarded as the most prestigious tennis tournament throughout the world. Originally established in 1877, the Wimbledon championship is played on outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London. Leading tennis players from around the world compete at the Wimbledon Championships to clinch the most coveted grand slam title.

Over the years, numerous tennis stalwarts, including Björn Borg, Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras, and Serena Williams, have embraced the history of the Wimbledon Championship with their stellar knocks on the tennis court. Additionally, the illustrious history of the Wimbledon has also witnessed a series of path-breaking milestones, including the introduction of tiebreaks in 1971 and the adoption of yellow tennis balls in 1986.

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While a majority of tennis fans are well aware of the history and fundamentals of the prestigious Wimbledon, many of them lack details about the exciting and interesting facts behind the legacy of the tournament.

In this article we will take a look at the top six thrilling and lesser-discovered facts about the Wimbledon Championships that you might not know about.

Wimbledon Championships : Top 6 Unknown Interesting Facts You Probably Don’t Know

• The Longest Match at the Wimbledon Championships

While the other grand slams, including the Australian Open, the French Open, and the US Open adhere to a nighttime curfew, the Wimbledon Championship is allowed to continue till 11:00 in the night under artificial lights on the tennis court. The 2010 Wimbledon Championships witnessed the longest match in the history of the tournament, which lasted for a record-breaking time of 11 hours and five minutes.

The spine-chilling match between John Isner of the United States defeating French player Nicolas Mahut was played over a time period of three days, making it the longest match in the history of the Wimbledon.

• The Winners at the Wimbledon and their Replica Trophies

While numerous tennis stalwarts compete at the Wimbledon Championship, the winners don’t get to take their trophies home. It is considered mandatory for the esteemed winners of the Wimbledon Championships to keep their original trophies at the All England Club’s museum. The winner walks away with a set of replica trophies as a remembrance of their victory.

• The Most Telecasted Tournament in the World

The Wimbledon Championships is considered as one of the most watched tournaments in the history of television streaming. The most recent 137th staging of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships was viewed by over 4.1 Million people alone on BBC, generating an estimated viewership revenue worth $124.73 million, speaking volumes about the popularity of the tournament among the masses. The Wimbledon Championship marked its first ever broadcasting by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) on July 21, 1937.

• The Wimbledon Championships uses over 54,000 Tennis Balls Every Year

According to the reports, the Wimbledon Championships on an average utilises over 54,000 balls in a single season. Additionally, to maintain their competitive structure and optimal condition, these balls are stored in a refrigerator which is set precisely at a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

• The Female Dominance at the Wimbledon Championships

Although women have not been included in the Wimbledon Championships since its inception in 1877 and were later included in 1884, the women’s stalwarts of tennis have proved their dominance on the grass court. Martina Navratilova has clinched Wimbledon titles for a record nine times. Additionally, Serena Williams and Venus Williams have won the title for a record-breaking twelve times.

• The Dress Code at the Wimbledon Championships

The tennis players competing at the Wimbledon Championships are required to wear a white uniform while playing their matches on the grass court. In case the tennis player is spotted wearing a different colour, the umpire of the match is allowed to intervene and ask the tennis player to change clothes and adhere to the white dress code which is followed strictly at the Wimbledon.

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