Wiekes weetjes: facts about Wimbledon
For about a year or two, I have picked up my tennis career again, although I would call it more of a hobby... I don't have the talent for it, but fortunately, I do have the pleasure in it. But before I picked up my racket again, I could watch tournaments like Wimbledon every year in amazement: those tennis players make it look so natural. One day I want to go there myself, because it seems amazing to see the best tennis players in the world play live. And of course, just to soak up that Wimbledon atmosphere, because I think that's very special too. And when I'm there, I can immediately impress with my knowledge about this tournament...
1. The longest match lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes
It was played in June 2010, between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut — the former eventually won. It could last this long because Wimbledon has a rule that the deciding set is played out with a two-game difference instead of a tie-break. As a result, it ended 70-68 and the gentlemen were on the court for three days.
2. The youngest winner of Wimbledon ever is Charlotte Dod
She won the singles in 1887 at the age of fifteen. After that, she won it four more times: in 1888, 1891, 1892, and 1893.
3. Maria Sharapova is as loud as a Boeing 747
At least on the tennis court; her grunts reached 101.2 decibels. That's the same as a Boeing 747 during takeoff and only 20 percent below the loudest rock band ever measured by the Guinness Book of Records (The Who).
4. Tennis was invented by the Brits
By Walter Clopton Wingfield to be precise, who called it sphairistikè, the Greek word for ‘the art of playing ball’.
5. On average, 54,250 tennis balls are used each year
Every seven to nine games, new balls are used, and they take them out of a cooled container so that all new balls are in perfect condition.
6. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world
Wimbledon was first played in 1877, although it was very different back then: amateurs were allowed to participate. Missed opportunity...
7. Rufus the crow is one of the most famous attendees
Every morning during the tournament, this crow flies over Wimbledon to scare away the local pigeons. Rufus has now become a real phenomenon, and everyone was in an uproar when he was stolen in 2012 (how then?). Fortunately, he was found safe and sound. You can follow him on Twitter, where he has over 10K followers.
8. The notorious dress code
Wimbledon is known for being extremely strict with their dress code, but what can you wear and what not? All clothing must be white (this was already done in the 19th century because sweat stains are better visible in colors) and women are not allowed to have a décolletage. They make no exceptions for this; for example, Federer was politely but firmly asked in 2013 to wear different shoes because his soles were orange.
9. The ball girls and boys have a very serious job
It's not just a side job, you know, taking care of the balls at Wimbledon. Every year, 250 boys and girls are selected from 27 local schools. They are all around the age of fifteen. How does the selection process work? You must be able to stand completely still for at least three minutes and then follow weekly training sessions for several hours.
10. Tennis skirts used to be much longer
In the early 20th century, women played in long skirts. How inconvenient is that?
