The Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Championship is one of main sporting and social events of the English Summer. For two weeks in July the finest players on the planet battle it out at the All England club in a leafy West London suburb in what most would say was the premier tennis event in the world.
Here, then, is the history of the tournament, starting with the history of the game itself.
The History Of Tennis
Tennis traces its origins to 12th-century France, where it began as “jeu de paume”—a game played by striking a ball with the palm of the hand in monastic cloisters.
By the 16th century, rackets were introduced, and the game evolved into “real tennis” or “royal tennis,” played on indoor courts and favoured by European royalty such as France’s Louis X and England’s Henry VIII. The term “tennis” is believed to derive from the French word “tenez!” meaning “take heed,” shouted during play.
The modern game emerged in 19th-century England. Between 1859 and 1865, Harry Gem and Augurio Perera developed a version combining elements of racquets and pelota, eventually leading to the formation of the first tennis club in Leamington Spa in 1872.
Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented a game called “Sphairistikè” (also known as lawn tennis) in 1873, designed for outdoor play on grass, which rapidly gained popularity.
The History Of Wimbledon
The first Wimbledon Championships were held in 1877, establishing many rules still used today, such as the rectangular court and unique scoring system. It began at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club,s founded in 1868, initially catering to the English gentry’s enthusiasm for croquet.
The inaugural Championship featured only the Gentlemen’s Singles event. Twenty-two men paid a guinea each to enter, and about 200 spectators attended the final, paying a shilling apiece.
The event’s rules, newly established for the occasion, set the foundation for the modern game, although some details—such as net height and service line distance—have since evolved.
Spencer Gore won the first title, defeating William Marshall in a 48-minute final. Wimbledon’s early success paved the way for its expansion and enduring status as the pinnacle of tennis tradition and excellence.
Tennis soon spread globally, with major tournaments like the U.S. Open (est. 1881) and its inclusion in the Olympic Games in 1896.
Today, tennis is a worldwide sport, celebrated for its rich history and enduring appeal.
The Golden Era
The late 1970s and early 1980s marked a golden era for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, defined by intense rivalries, dramatic finals, and the emergence of tennis icons.
Swedish star Björn Borg dominated the men’s singles, winning five consecutive titles from 1976 to 1980, showcasing his calm demeanour and exceptional baseline play. His legendary 1980 final against John McEnroe is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in tennis history, featuring a dramatic fourth- set tie-break and Borg’s eventual five-set victory.
McEnroe, known for his fiery temperament and volleying skills, would go on to win his first
Wimbledon title in 1981, defeating Borg and signalling a shift in the sport’s landscape.
On the women’s side, Martina Navratilova began her reign by capturing her first Wimbledon singles title in 1978, going on to dominate the early 1980s with her athleticism and aggressive serve-and-volley game.
Prize money increased significantly during this period, reflecting the tournament’s growing prestige; for example, the men’s singles champion earned £10,000 in 1975, while the women’s champion received £7,000.
The era was characterized by electrifying matches, evolving playing styles, and the global rise of Wimbledon as the pinnacle of tennis excellence.
The Modern Day
The modern Wimbledon Championships continue to be a premier Grand Slam event, held annually at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. The tournament features singles, doubles, mixed doubles, junior, wheelchair, and invitational events, with the 2025 edition marking its 138th occurrence.
Wimbledon has embraced technological advancements, such as introducing automated electronic line judges for the first time in 2025, and has adjusted scheduling to enhance global viewership.
A significant milestone in recent history is the achievement of pay equity. Since 2007, Wimbledon has awarded equal prize money to male and female competitors across all rounds, aligning with the other Grand Slam tournaments and reflecting broader social progress. This move was widely celebrated as a major step for gender equality in sports, recognizing the equal contributions and appeal of women’s tennis at the championship.
Despite the modern outlook of today’s tournament, it retains much of its English charm. Attendees are as likely to be sipping Pimms or tucking into strawberries and cream as enjoying a game.
Going To The Championship
There are several ways of getting tickets for Wimbledon:
Debenture tickets:
The most expensive way to get tickets is by buying a ‘Debenture’” which provides guaranteed tickets and reserved seats for 5 years.
The catch? A No.1 court debentures costs around $50,000 per seat and a Centre Court debenture will set you back $130,000. Probably not an option for most of us.
Public ballot:
A more realistic option is to enter the annual public ballot, an online lottery where you apply for tickets online and are randomly selected if you win. You can apply during a limited window in September.
If you’re successful, you’ll be notified in February and will need to pay immediately. You can only purchase up to two tickets per household bur not, of course guaranteed to receive any tickets
Queue:
Most people enter queue which forms outside the grounds daily to purchase tickets. You to purchase both Show Court tickets (limited) and Grounds tickets (providing access to all courts except Centre Court and Courts 1-4).
You may need to arrive early in the morning and wait in the Queue, potentially for several hours, to purchase tickets. However queuing to get into Wimbledon has become such a ritual that there are a lot of refreshment options (and bathrooms!) for ateendees that’s quite possible to have a decent breakfast whilst waiting in line.
Top tip: As people leave later in the day No.1 and Centre Court tickets are sold on a first come first served basis to ettendees on the outer courts. As many of the top matches are played in evenings, it s still possible to catch one of the top games on the main courts for a couple of hours if you are lucky.
Other Options:
It is possible to obtain hospitality packages or be part of a tour including tickets as part of the deal but these come at a significant cost. You can purchase them from official providers, which often include guaranteed tickets, premium seating, and other perks.
One thing: the Wimbledon queue is notorious for ticket touts offering tickets to key matches illegally at inflated prices. Don’t be tempted – tickets are not transferable and are usually invalid if obtained in this way.
The Wimbledon tennis Championship is not only one of the world’s premier sporting events, it’s also a peculiarly English part of the summer.
