The Beauty of Wimbledon

There are very few places like the All-England Lawn and Tennis Club. Long considered one of the centers of tennis excellence, there is something special — almost magical — about the home of The Championships. In my generation, if you wanted to end the year as the No. 1 player in the world, you had to win Wimbledon. I was fortunate to win my first of 20 Wimbledon titles as a teenager in 1961, and have been fortunate to come back every year for the last 54 years.

For many of us, Wimbledon is the perfect blend of tradition and innovation—and I do believe that is part of its magic. The symmetry of the pristine grass courts is a sight I never tire of seeing. Each year, usually the Sunday before matches start, I make a quiet trip to sit in the stands surrounding Centre Court and soak in the Wimbledon experience—just as I did when I played the tournament. As I leave, I always grab one blade of grass from Centre Court, and cherish the wonderful memories of this place.

Photographs by Bob Martin and Thomas Lovelock

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Silhouette of a ball boy on Day 2.

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A general view of the southern courts on Day 2.

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General view overlooking Wimbledon on Day 1.

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Maria Sharapova defeated Johanna Konta in straight sets in the first round of the Ladies’ Singles on Day 1.

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Fans on The Hill on Day 3.

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ON Court 4, Mateusz Kowalczyk & Igor Zelenay lost to Marcel Granollers & Marc Lopez on Day 2.

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Spectators look at the order of play boards on Day 3.

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Sloane Stephens serves against fellow American Lauren Davis on court 8 on Day 3.Stephens won in straight sets.

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Ball Boys & Girls Area, Day 4.

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Ball Boys & Girls Area, Day 4.

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Serena Williams defeated Heather Watson on Centre Court, Day 5.

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General View of Court 19 on Day 1.

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Day 1.

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General view of the southern courts on Day 2.

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General view over the southern courts on Day 2.

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Granollers and Lopez won the tiebreaker in the 5th set to take the match on Day 2.

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Rafael Nadal escorted through the grounds on Day 2.

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Heather Watson got within two points of an upset win against Serena Williams on Centre Court on Day 5.

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Novak Djokovic (left) and Serena Williams (right) in action on Day 5.

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Lleyton Hewitt salutes the crowd after losing in five sets to Jarkko Nieminen in the first round of the Gentlemen’s Singles, Day 1.

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Andy Murray on Day 2 (left) and Lleyton Hewitt on Day 1 (right.)

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View over courts 4 - 11 on Day 2.

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