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Wimbledon is world famous for tennis. You don't have to watch it on TV - plan ahead now for your tickets. Last week in June and first week in July, 2008
Tennis-wise, the Brits really are not in the running these days but they still know how to put on a great show, and for But Wimbledon is more than a show; it is without question the most important title any tennis player can aspire to and they come from around the globe to a leafy London suburb to compete against the world's finest. Wimbledon 2008 - A Day at WimbledonOnly a short ride on the Underground train from London's West End, Wimbledon has been home to the Lawn Tennis Championships since 1877 when the somewhat garden party atmosphere of the first meeting attracted no more than a few hundred spectators. Today the championship matches draw crowds of around 370,000 people. Then there are the millions around the world who are glued to their television sets during the whole of the Wimbledon period. During the tennis fortnight thousands of bottles of bubbly are consumed, along with tons of strawberries, poached and smoked salmon. "You cannot be serious!" as the volatile McEnroe might have said. Yes, John, it's true. Then there are the zillions of Pimms, fish and chips, sandwiches and cups of tea. This makes Wimbledon the largest single sporting catering operation carried out in the UK and probably in the whole of Europe. In spite of all the razzamatazz, the stars, the excitement of the crowds, Wimbledon manages to retain something of the dignity and calm of earlier days. When the umpire says "Quiet, please!" a hush descends, everyone’s attention is trained on the court. Wimbledon 2008 - A bit of Wimbledon HistoryCaught up in the excitement of what's happening on Centre Court, with players kitted out with the best and most comfortable clothing that modern technology can provide, it's hard to imagine the ancient game of tennis which Henry VIII was keen on (when he was a svelte young man of course!). Henry would have been dressed in a short velvet coat, long stockings and shoes with felt soles - not only uncomfortable but very hot. Hard to imagine the King whizzing around the court in the manner players do today. Tennis fashions have come a long way since the 16th century but they had to go through a lot of growing pains before they reached the comfortable outfits worn by today's players. Although Victorian men wore trousers and long-sleeved shirts this was nothing compared with the cruel discomfort suffered by women players. They were decked out in elaborately flounced, full-length dresses with long sleeves and high necklines. Underneath, their bodies were pulled into impossible shapes by boned corsets and covered with further layers of petticoats and a bustle - all of this topped with a straw hat decorated with ribbons and flowers! No wonder they found it difficult to serve over arm. These early costumes are on display at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. Wimbledon 2008 - Buying TicketsSo how do you get a ticket for Wimbledon? There has always been a huge demand, especially since the advent of large-scale air travel and the consequent increase in the number of overseas visitors. There are basically three ways to get a ticket: by queueing on the day (nearly half the tickets available during the championships are on sale on the day), through the public ballot for which the greatest proportion of tickets is retained, or by responding to one of the many newspaper advertisements. Scalpers sell tickets to the finals and semi-finals for hundreds of pounds.
The copyright of the article Wimbledon 2008 in Historical Vacations is owned by Cathy Smith. Permission to republish Wimbledon 2008 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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