Travel Talk

When Is Wimbledon 2023? What to Know Before the Big Game

Wimbledon is one of the most famous sports tournaments in the world, in part thanks to its prestige and star-studded lineups.

The tournament, which traces its history more than 100 years ago, is a staple of a typical summer in London and is laden with events, traditions, and even a special dessert.

If you’re planning to attend Wimbledon (don’t forget to apply for the necessary visa) or simply want to find out more about this legendary event, here is everything you need to know.

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When Will Wimbledon Take Place in 2023?

The tournament traditionally starts on the last Monday of June and lasts for two weeks. Sometimes the schedule may change depending on the weather, but this rarely happens.

Over the course of two weeks, the participants of the tournament play in different categories and draw seven rounds in the single draw, six in doubles, as well as separate competitions for wheelchair users, veterans, and juniors (boys and girls).

During the first week, the main matches and tournaments are played, except for Sunday (since, traditionally, there are no matches on Sunday). Meanwhile, in the second week, the most interesting matches begin — namely the 1/16 finals, 1/8 finals, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final match.

Wondering why Wimbledon is in June? There’s actually a reason behind the choice. For a long time, the Wimbledon tournament began two weeks after the end of the French Open, but beginning in 2015, the pause between these two competitions increased to three weeks, and thus the first match day at Wimbledon falls on the last Monday of June.

Where Will It Take Place?

The Wimbledon tournament takes place in London, on the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The territory of the club occupies a spacious ??42 acres and includes tennis courts, bleachers, rest areas, and everything else traditionally needed for a tournament of such a size.

All final matches of the Wimbledon tournament are played on the largest and main court of the tournament: the Center Court. This court was built back in 1922, and in 2009 it underwent a major renovation after a transparent retractable roof was added to protect spectators and athletes from the rain. The stadium can accommodate up to 15,000 people.

On the grounds of the All England Club, visitors will also find images and sculptures of great British tennis champions such as Fred Perry, who won three consecutive Wimbledon championships. Also worth seeing is the Docherty Memorial Gate, which used to serve as the main entrance to the club grounds and now serves as a memorial for visitors.

If you are going to see the tournament, then you should definitely take the time to visit London as well. London is one of the oldest and most atmospheric cities, especially since it used to hold a lot of influence during its golden years.

The capital of Great Britain has long been one of the richest cities in the world, thanks to which the city is full of architectural masterpieces, museums with rare items and exhibitions, and many other attractions.

The city has many historic quarters which have been perfectly preserved to this day, as well as Buckingham Palace, which is home to the Queen and her family; and Big Ben, which is not inferior in its popularity to the Eiffel Tower and is considered one of the most recognizable sights in the world.

A gourmet will surely enjoy the local Michelin-starred restaurants, where some of the best chefs from around the world serve innovative and exciting dishes.

Besides its own attractions, London serves as a fantastic base for traveling to other parts of the country, especially thanks to its numerous inter-city busses and train links. Be sure to enjoy a day trip to one of the many wonderful neighboring spots, such as the Cotswolds!

The History of the Tournament

Although the Wimbledon championships formally date back to 1868 (when the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club was formed), only croquet was played and tennis was not quite such a popular sport.

Finally, in 1875, one of the courts was allocated for tennis and the history of Wimbledon finally began. The first official matches of the tournament were held in 1877, where only 22 players took part. All were local residents and amateur players.

In those days, the rules were very different: everyone who wanted to play had to pay a participation fee of 1 guinea (a type of gold coin), as well as bring flat shoes and their own rackets. Local salesman Spencer Gore made history as the first Wimbledon winner.

From 1884, foreign players were allowed to take part in the tournament. Since then, much has changed. From its humble roots as a small local tournament, Wimbledon has become one of the most prestigious events in the world of tennis.

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