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Over the past 20 years, I have made a yearly pilgrimage to Wimbledon, traveling from places as far as Beijing and New Delhi. However, my fascination with the tournament began long before that. Since 1975, when I was captivated by BBC radio commentary of the event, I have always imagined myself at Wimbledon. Back then, we didn’t have a TV at my family’s home in Kolkata, but that didn’t stop me from dreaming about it.
To truly grasp Wimbledon’s unique allure, one must visit the grounds outside the All England Club. This is where the queue starts for those hoping to secure tickets for Centre Court and No. 1 Court, as well as the grounds passes sold on the day. Wimbledon Park, with its water-refill stations, food outlets, and ATMs, resembles a magical theme park. The All England Club’s volunteer stewards, dressed in dark-blue blazers, are stationed here to keep queuers updated on the action inside and even act as wake-up alarms for those who spend the night in the park.
I can vividly remember being ceremoniously ejected from the queue after waiting in line for six hours a couple of decades ago. However, even though I was disappointed, I couldn’t help but admire the club’s adherence to its rules and the civility in which it was handled. That year, the club introduced a slip of paper that was required for entry into the queue. Unfortunately, I had forgotten mine as I was preoccupied with a phone conversation about renting a flat.
On the other end of the ticket spectrum are the debenture buyers. These debentures have been funding the tournament’s new projects for decades and have enabled the construction of the impressive retractable roofs over the show courts. The tradition of issuing debentures dates back to 1920. In the current series for Centre Court, which covers the years 2021-2025, a seat for every day of the Championships trades at around £115,000 in the secondary market, a considerable premium compared to the £80,000 cost when they were initially issued. The scarcity of debentures compared to the number of interested buyers contributes to the increasing prices and highlights the value placed on attending the tournament.
While Wimbledon is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious and fiercely contested Grand Slam tournaments, it also provides an opportunity for thousands of people to experience a magical moment. Whether it’s through the annual ballot, purchasing a debenture, or queuing overnight, securing a seat on Centre Court is a highly coveted experience. Once inside the grounds, the sense of egalitarianism and exclusivity coexist during the tournament fortnight.
For the past fifteen years, I have had the privilege of being a member of the vast press corps covering the tournament. These annual trips to SW19 have deepened my obsession with attending this extraordinary event that seamlessly combines a tennis tournament with an English garden party. Within the grounds, I often find myself skipping lunch as I rush between matches on the show courts. There have been instances where I have sprinted to No. 3 Court to make it before the changeover ends, accompanied by the delightful quirk of volunteer ushers from the British armed forces. Wimbledon manages to maintain the intimate atmosphere of a club tournament, even with the presence of the world’s best tennis players.
To me, one of the most special times is the weekend before the tournament officially begins. During these two days, players have practice sessions, and as a member of the media, I have the privilege of watching them courtside. Last year, while taking a close-up photograph of Carlos Alcaraz, I realized that Novak Djokovic was kneeling next to me, tying his laces. Despite being a huge fan, I was too awestruck to speak to him.
Last summer, amidst strikes and staff shortages, London felt chaotic. However, upon arriving at Wimbledon on a perfect summer’s day, I found the grounds to be as serene and organized as ever. Everyone I encountered, whether it was a gardener tending to the club’s signature flowers or the temporary staff in the cafeteria, exuded a contagious sense of happiness.
Leaving a pre-tournament press conference, I made a timing error and nearly missed a practice session between Grigor Dimitrov and Félix Auger-Aliassime, two of the sport’s most elegant players. I ran as fast as I could and almost collided with Auger-Aliassime as he was leaving the courts. Despite the mishap, he smiled and I wished him luck. The fortnight ahead promised excitement and joy, but for a tennis fan, it never feels long enough.
What do you think captures the essence of the Wimbledon experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow FT Globetrotter on Instagram at @FTGlobetrotter.
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