Wimbledon championships
The British Open is an annual lawn tennis tournament also known as Wimbledon, or the Wimbledon Championships, named after its location in Wimbledon which is in South-West London, England. It is the oldest and most prestigious event in the sport of tennis and is the third tournament of the Grand Slam in tennis.The first British Open was held in 1877. It was then called the Lawn Tennis Championships , hosted by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. It had only male amateur participants. In 1884 separate women's singles and men's doubles tournaments were added. By the turn of the century the British Open had become an increasingly popular international tennis tournament.
In 1922 a new tennis complex was built at Church Road for 14,000 spectators, which helped enlarge the popularity and fame of the Championships. It is the only Grand Slam tournament played on grass. The traditional character of the British Open, like the rule for the players to be clothed in white, and for the public to eat strawberries and cream, give it extra flavour. Wimbledon has its own, often criticized, system for seeding players.
The tournament is held in June/July and normally lasts for three weeks. Four rounds precede the quarter finals, succeeded by the semi finals and final round. The British Open holds separate tournaments simultaneously for men (singles), women (singles), men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. There is also a Wimbledon youth tournament.
The main court is called Centre Court, while Court 1 hosts other important matches. Court 2 bears the nickname The Graveyard, since it is here that many seeded players are knocked out.
The Champions Cup (men) and Bowl (women) have been presented for many years by the Duchess of Kent in a never-changing ceremony.
Green and purple are the traditional Wimbledon colours.
Wimbledon Champions since 1877
See List of Wimbledon champions
