the
oldest tennis tournament in the world and is widely considered the most
prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in the London
suburb of Wimbledon since 1877. It is the oldest of the four Grand Slam
tennis tournaments, and the only one still played on grass courts.
The
tournament takes place over two weeks in late June and early July,
Monday to the second following Sunday, with the middle Sunday usually
being a rest day.Wimbledon
traditions include the eating of strawberries and cream, royal
patronage, strict dress code for competitors, and ball boys and girls. A
much unloved tradition, "rain stops play" calls leading to schedule
over-runs, is set to be reduced with the fitting of a retractable roof
to Centre Court from 2009.Wimbledon includes five main events, four junior
events and four invitation events.
A
total of 128 players feature in each singles event, 64 pairs in each
single-sex doubles event, and 48 pairs in Mixed Doubles. Players and
doubles pairs are admitted to the main events on the basis of their
international rankings, with consideration also given to their previous
performances at grasscourt events. Currently (since 2001) 32 male and
female players are given seedings in the Gentlemen's and Ladies' singles
while 16 teams are seeded in the doubles events.
The
Gentlemen's Singles champion receives a silver gilt cup. The
trophy has been awarded since 1887 and bears the inscription: "The All
England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Champion of the World." The
Ladies' Singles champion receives a sterling silver salver commonly
known as the "Venus Rosewater Dish", or simply the "Rosewater Dish". The
salver is decorated
with figures from mythology. The winners of the Gentlemen's Doubles,
Ladies' Doubles, and Mixed Doubles events receive silver cups. The
runner-up in each event receives an inscribed silver plate.
In
2008, the prize money for the main events is as follows (the amounts
shown for the doubles events are per pair):
- Gentlemen's Singles and Ladies' Singles Winners £750,000
- Gentlemen's Doubles and Ladies' Doubles Winners £229,000
- Mixed Doubles Winners £90,000
- £11,812,000 was awarded in total as prize money.
