Wimbledon - The Championships started in 1877 and is going to be 150Y old next year. It is the oldest and the most prestigious tennis tournament. Visiting the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon was dream come true for me this week.
As a young school going boy, I played Tennis in Chennai for almost 8 years. Watching legends play in Wimbledon on TV was a ritual for my family, may be because of my Dad who was a sports journalist. Iconic matches and Rivalries define Wimbledon. Perhaps tennis comes closer to gender parity in popularity, visibility, and pay than almost any other major sport.
Ice vs Fire in Borg vs. McEnroe. Elegance or physical grit? Federer vs Nadal and Djokovic. Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova? Serve & Volley or baseline with drop shots? Becker Vs Sampras Vs Agassi. Steffi Graf Vs Monica Seles. Youth vs Legend. Alcaraz & Sinner vs Djokovic
Or our own Ramanathan Krishnan, the only Indian to reach Wimbledon semi final twice 1960 & 1961. Vijay Amritraj 1973 & 1981 quarter finals. Leander Paes 5 times men's and mixed doubles winner. Sania Mirza Women's doubles winner. Ramanathan Krishnan (1954), Ramesh Krishnan (1979), and Leander Paes (1990) won the prestigious Boys' Singles titles.
Few things I did not know till I went there.
Wimbledon's official name is simply "The Championships, Wimbledon" and not English open, because it was established by a private club before other major tournaments and is not operated by a national sports body like US French and Australian open.
Wimbledon does not take any advertising. No bill boards stickers sponsorships etc
Wimbledon is a non profit organization donates its profits by investing in new tennis players.
I always dreamt about how will it feel like on court 1, the center court, the hill, strawberries and cream, The dream came true this week at last. Enjoy the pics.
Tell me who are your favorite players?
the prize the cup
My favorite player is Bjorn Borg. He quit at 26 years after winning 5 Wimbledon and 6 French Open, at his peak. No one quit at the peak, like him, as far as I know.
Longest match over 3 days
Strawberries and cream
Flowers in Wimbledon colors
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