The many rules and traditions of Wimbledon

By Alyssa Pais

This week, the oldest tennis tournament in the world is starting again: Wimbledon. The championship is truly in the DNA of England en is a reflection of all things that are typically British. It is one of the largest events of “The Season”. No, this is not something that only takes place in Bridgerton and other period dramas. The Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Ascot, and Wimbledon are all important to the cultural heritage. But the reason this has been so well preserved are the many traditions and etiquette rules, all of which are as old as the event itself.

Dress Code

For the more fashionable tennis players who like to make a statement on the court, this is more of a challenge at Wimbledon. Players are only allowed to wear white, from the cap to the shoelaces. This rule has been in place since the championship began in 1877. White was worn because sweat stains are least visible on it. A colored trim around the neckline or along the outer seam of clothing is allowed, as long as it is not wider than one centimeter. For a few years now, women have also been allowed to wear dark shorts under their clothing to reduce the stress around menstruation.

Sponsors

You will never see giant banners or LED billboards hanging along the field, as Wimbledon does not adopt a flashy ‘in your face’ approach when it comes to sponsors. Instead of advertisements, the tournament collaborates with a select group of official partners. One of the only logos you might have seen is that of Rolex, Wimbledon’s official timekeeper. Ralph Lauren designs the uniforms for all officials and ball boys and girls, and Range Rover transports the players to and from the tennis court. The sponsors are present, but their visibility is intentionally limited: a ‘if you know you know’ approach.

The Court

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament still played on grass. Every day, the grass is mowed to exactly 8 millimeters. The preparations take almost a year, during which the old grass is removed and reseeded, fertilized, and irrigated. This is done by a whole team of groundskeepers for whom this is a full-time job. This means that the Centre Court remains empty all year in preparation for the tournament, which lasts only two weeks.

Getting Up During the Match

During the match, it is not allowed to return to your seat; you usually have to wait for a moment when the players are not actively playing. Sometimes whole groups of people wait until the steward says they can walk over the aisle again. A small movement in the corner of a player's eye can be enough to break their concentration.

The Queue

The night before, there are often more than a thousand people waiting in The Queue, the official waiting line. Wimbledon is one of the only major sporting events where you can still buy good seats on the day itself, but you have to be willing to make some sacrifices: many people camp in tents to get one of the 1500 available tickets. There are people with inflatable mattresses, folding chairs, and portable toilets. You receive a Queue Card with a number as proof of your place in line. At six o'clock in the morning, the campers are woken up, and everyone lines up. At half past seven, those who are allowed to buy a ticket receive wristbands. It almost resembles Pinkpop, but who would have expected that there is also a campsite on the grounds of one of England's most exclusive events?

Strawberries & Cream

Strawberries with cream have been served since the first edition, and the snack is so inextricably linked to Wimbledon that a lot of merchandise featuring strawberries is sold in the souvenir shop. The tournament takes place during the peak season for strawberries, and around 200,000 servings are served annually.

Whether you are a fan of tennis or not, almost everyone knows Wimbledon. There is a reason the media pays so much attention to it every year. It is precisely because of all these traditions that the event retains its prestige. Because where else do top sports, British traditions, royalty, and Hollywood come together in one place?

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