Junior SCHOOLS All about Wimbledon All about Wimbledon LOUDEST Wimbledon in numbers playersSERVE are known for their loud grunts when they The greatest tennis event in the world hit a ball, and Russia’s Maria Sharapova has the loudest. In 54,250 This year, Wimbledon marks 2009, her grunt reached 101 The average number of decibels, which is as loud tennis balls used during each tournament. its 140th anniversary. as a motorbike. n 3 July, around 600 of the world’s greatest tennis Oplayers will arrive at Wimbledon in London for the world-famous tennis tournament. For two weeks, players will battle it out to become a Wimbledon champion, a title that tonnes 28The amount of strawberries every tennis player dreams of winning. Around 500,000 spectators eaten during the competition. will flock to the courts to watch tennis, and of course, tuck into strawberries and cream – a dessert that is a symbol of Wimbledon. The tournament isn’t just a place where tennis players can shine, it is also steeped in history. This year marks the tournament’s 140th anniversary. There are four major EYES ON hours tennis tournaments known as Grand Slams: the and 5 minutes Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the THE PRIZE The duration of the longest match ever played US Open, but Wimbledon has been described as “the 11 Wimbledon champions win a at Wimbledon (it was in 2010). granddaddy of them all” because it is also the oldest. share of the £31.6 million prize money. Each singles champion Royal roots gets around £2.2 million. mph Monks and kings have been playing a version of The speed of the tennis indoors since the Middle Ages (a period fastest men’s serve. between the 5th and 15th century). It is even rumoured that tennis balls belonging to King Henry VIII 147 were found lodged in the roof of Westminster Hall when The grass is greener... it was repaired in the 1920s. In 1873 an Englishman Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam decided to adapt the sport so it could be played tournament that has a day off in the middle. outdoors, and the first Wimbledon tournament was This is so that the groundsmen can tend held on 9 July 1877. Around 200 spectators watched as to the grass. Around nine tonnes of grass Spencer Gore was crowned the first Wimbledon winner. seed are planted every year. Before the tournament starts, the grass is cut down to eight millimetres, which is the best length to allow a tennis ball to bounce.

RAINY DAYS There have only been seven completely rain- free Wimbledons

Henry VIII was a since 1977. keen sportsman. wins in 2016.

A timeline of Wimbledon Get involved

1877 1884 1926 1936 1977 2013 Fancy being the next Andy The first Wimbledon Women didn’t have their In 1926, the Duke of York (who became won The last British woman to win the Andy Murray won his first Murray or Serena Williams? tournament was own Wimbledon event King George VI) competed in the Wimbledon three singles title was Virginia Wade in 1990 Wimbledon title, becoming the Why not get involved in a tennis held on 9 July until 1884. The youngest men’s doubles. times in 1934, 1935 1977. She played the final in front US player Martina Navratilova first British man to win it in 77 club near you or take part in 1877. A total of woman ever to win the Unfortunately, and 1936 and was of the Queen. won her ninth Wimbledon singles years. He beat the then world junior championships? For more 21 matches were singles event was 15-year- he and his the last British man to win the title at the 1990 Championships. champion, . information about played over old Charlotte “Lottie” Dod partner lost tournament until Andy Murray’s This is more than any other female tennis clubs, head five days. in 1887. their match. victory in 2013. tennis player has ever won. over to lta.org.uk ACTION IMAGES · ALAMY · MARY EVANS PICTURE LIBRARY · PA PHOTOS · GETTY IMAGES · REX SHUTTERSTOCK · GETTY IMAGES PHOTOS · PA PICTURE LIBRARY EVANS · ALAMY MARY IMAGES ACTION ©THE WEEK JUNIOR, DENNIS PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. schools.theweekjunior.co.uk schools.theweekjunior.co.uk