Editing Wimbledon Championships (section)

==Traditions==
[[File:Wimbledon Court 10 2004 RJL.JPG|thumb|Court 10. On the outside courts there is no reserved seating.]]

Social commentator [[Ellis Cashmore]] describes Wimbledon as having "a [[David Niven]]-ish propriety", in trying to conform to the standards of behaviour regarded as common in the 1950s. Writer [[Peter York]] sees the event as representing a particular white, upper middle class, affluent type of Britishness, describing the area of Wimbledon as "a southern, well off, late-Victorian suburb with a particular social character". Cashmore has criticised the event for being "remote and insulated" from the changing multicultural character of modern Britain, describing it as "nobody's idea of all-things-British".<ref name="cnn">{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/25/sport/tennis/tennis-wimbledon-preview-york-olympics-identity/index.html|title=Game, set and match: What Wimbledon says about the British|author=James Montague|website=CNN|date=25 June 2012|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823223444/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/25/sport/tennis/tennis-wimbledon-preview-york-olympics-identity/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{importance inline|date=July 2022}}

===Ball boys and ball girls===
In the championship games, [[ball boy]]s and girls, known as BBGs, have a brief that a good BBG "should not be seen. They should blend into the background and get on with their jobs quietly."<ref>[https://archive.today/20130114062047/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/core/Content/displayPrintable.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/06/29/ftballs29.xml&site=6&page=0 Strawberries, cream and BBGs]. ''The Daily Telegraph'' (London), 29 June 2006.</ref>

From 1947 ball boys were recruited from Goldings,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goldonian.org/wimbledon/goldings_ballboys.htm |title=Goldings Ballboys |publisher=Goldonian.org |date=26 June 2004 |access-date=14 September 2010 |archive-date=11 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611085753/http://www.goldonian.org/wimbledon/goldings_ballboys.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> the only [[Barnardos]] school to provide them. Prior to this, from the 1920s onwards, the ball boys came from [[Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury|The Shaftesbury Children's Home]].
[[File:Wimbledon ballgirl 2007.jpg|thumb|left|Wimbledon ball girl at the net, 2007]]
Since 1969, BBGs have been drawn from local schools. Traditionally, [[Wandsworth School|Wandsworth Boys School]] in Sutherland Grove, Southfields and Mayfield Girls School on [[West Hill, Wandsworth|West Hill]] in Wandsworth (only Southfields remains extant), were the schools of choice for selection of BBGs. This was possibly owing to their proximity to the club. Since 2008 they have been drawn from schools in the London boroughs of [[London Borough of Merton|Merton]], [[London Borough of Sutton|Sutton]], [[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]], and [[London Borough of Wandsworth|Wandsworth]], as well as from [[Surrey]].<ref name=BBG>{{cite web|title=Ball Boys and Ball Girls|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/ball_boys_and_ball_girls.html|website=www.wimbledon.com|publisher=[[AELTC]]|access-date=4 January 2017|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905081225/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/ball_boys_and_ball_girls.html|url-status=live}}</ref> BBGs have an average age of 15, being drawn from the school years [[Year Nine|nine]] and [[Year Ten|ten]].<ref name="Official Site">[https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/ball_boys_and_ball_girls.html Official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191221/https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/ball_boys_and_ball_girls.html |date=5 July 2022 }} BBGs at The Championships</ref> They serve for one, or if re-selected, for up to five tournaments, up to year thirteen.<ref>[http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/about_aeltc/201205091336572473808.html Official site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507113749/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/about_aeltc/201205091336572473808.html |date=7 May 2013 }} About the Ball Boys and Girls</ref>

Starting in 2005, BBGs work in teams of six, two at the net, four at the corners, and teams rotate one hour on court, one hour off, (two hours depending on the court) for the day's play.<ref name="Official Site" /> Teams are not told which court they will be working on the day, to ensure the same standards across all courts. With the expansion of the number of courts, and lengthening the tennis day, as of 2008, the number of BBGs required is around 250. Starting on the second Wednesday, the number of BBGs is reduced due to the decrease in the number of matches per day, leaving around 80 on the final Sunday. Each BBG receives a certificate, a can of used balls, a group photograph and a programme when leaving. BBG service is paid, with a total of £160-£250 being paid to each ball boy or girl after the 13-day period, depending on the number of days served, around £17 per day. Every BBG keeps their kit. BBG places are split 50:50 between boys and girls, with girls having been included since 1977, appearing on centre court since 1985.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Wimbledon – Behind the scenes – Ball boys and ball girls|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/behind_the_scenes/201205091336567795051.html|publisher=[[AELTC]]|access-date=1 September 2012|archive-date=13 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913132931/https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/behind_the_scenes/201205091336567795051.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prospective BBGs are first nominated by their school representative, to be considered for selection. To be selected, a candidate must pass written tests on the rules of tennis, and pass fitness, mobility and other suitability tests, against initial preliminary instruction material. Successful candidates then commence a training phase, starting in February, in which the final BBGs are chosen through continual assessment. As of 2008, this training intake was 300. The training includes weekly sessions of physical, procedural and theoretical instruction, to ensure that the BBGs are fast, alert, self-confident and adaptable to situations. As of 2011, early training occurs at the Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club Community Centre, before moving to  the Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club Covered Courts, to the side of the Grounds, and then to outside courts (8, 9, 10) the week before the Championships to ensure that BBGs gain a feel of the grass court.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

===Umpires===
At The Championships at Wimbledon, forty-two chair umpires are assigned each day and usually work two matches a day. They use tablet computers to score each match and these scores are displayed on the scoreboards and on wimbledon.com.<ref>{{cite web |title=Umpires |url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/umpires.html |website=www.wimbledon.com |access-date=2 March 2023 |archive-date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302005701/https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/umpires.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Line umpires worked in teams of nine or seven. Teams of nine umpires worked the Centre Court and Court numbers 1, 2, 3, 12, and 18 with the remaining teams of seven working the other courts. These teams rotated, working sixty minutes on the court and then sixty minutes off.

In 2007 a new technology called Hawk-Eye was introduced.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 May 2007 |title=Hawk-Eye to make Wimbledon debut |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6684409.stm |access-date=21 July 2023 |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721114526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6684409.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> This technology showed whether the ball bounced in bounds or out. Wimbledon started using this technology but continued to use line umpires as well. However the players were only allowed to ask to see this 3 times during one set.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Addicott |first1=Adam |title=EXCLUSIVE: Wimbledon Says No To Replacing Line Umpires With Hawk-Eye, But Others Say Yes |url=https://www.ubitennis.net/2021/07/exclusive-wimbledon-says-no-to-replacing-line-umpires-with-hawk-eye-but-others-say-yes/ |website=UBITENNIS |access-date=1 March 2023 |date=9 July 2021 |archive-date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302005709/https://www.ubitennis.net/2021/07/exclusive-wimbledon-says-no-to-replacing-line-umpires-with-hawk-eye-but-others-say-yes/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Line umpires and the ability to challenge calls made during a match were axed, starting from the 2025 Championships, due to the professional tennis tours adopting the Hawk-Eye Live technology from the 2025 season for any tournament capable of supporting it, bringing an end to the 147 years of traditional scenes of line umpires walking to and from the courts during matches. The only umpire on the court will now be the chair umpire, although the new role of match assistants will be created to escort players to the bathroom or take their racquets to the stringer.<ref name=line/><ref name= tech/>

===Colours and uniforms===
[[File:Wimbledon Grojean 2004 RJL.JPG|thumb|[[Sébastien Grosjean]] takes a shot on Court 18 during the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|2004 Championships]].]]
Dark green and purple are the traditional Wimbledon colours. However, all tennis players participating in the tournament are required to wear all-white or at least almost all-white clothing, a long-time tradition at Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Game and All Set for a Match: Wimbledon and our Inner Tennis Player|url=http://www.thegreenrooms.net/research-and-articles/game-and-all-set-for-a-match-wimbledon-and-our-inner-tennis-player/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140115104417/http://www.thegreenrooms.net/research-and-articles/game-and-all-set-for-a-match-wimbledon-and-our-inner-tennis-player/|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 January 2014|publisher=The Green Rooms|access-date=15 January 2014}}</ref>{{efn|name=clothing_guidelines|Guidelines regarding the prominently-white clothing rule include no solid mass of colouring; coloured trims not to exceed 1{{nbsp}}cm; shirt or dress backs to be totally white; all other items of clothing, including shorts, shirts, caps, headbands, socks, and shoe uppers to be predominantly white. In 2023 rules first allowed all female players, included but not limited to in the girls’ singles junior event, to wear non-white underwear; the new rule allows "solid, mid/dark-coloured undershorts, provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt".<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4634722/2023/07/02/wimbledon-period-all-white-dress-code/|title=Wimbledon are relaxing their all-white dress code to ease the stress of women's periods|first1=Nancy|last1=Froston|first2=Charlie|last2=Eccleshare|work=The New York Times |date=17 October 2023 |via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/clothing_and_equipment.html | work=Wimbledon | title=Clothing and equipment | access-date=12 July 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712041512/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/clothing_and_equipment.html | archive-date=12 July 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>}} This rule was put in place in 1963, when the tournament's first dress code was enforced.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Tim |last=Newcomb |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2019/06/24/whats-with-wimbledons-white-rule-and-how-do-brands-approach-design/ |title=What's With Wimbledon's White Rule, And How Do Brands Approach Designing For Tennis Players? |website=Forbes |access-date=24 June 2019 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006125700/https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2019/06/24/whats-with-wimbledons-white-rule-and-how-do-brands-approach-design/?sh=30ef7ad3a8fd |url-status=live}}</ref> Wearing white clothing with some colour accents is also acceptable, provided the colour scheme is not that of an identifiable commercial brand logo (the outfitter's brand logo being the sole exception). Controversy followed [[Martina Navratilova]]'s wearing branding for "Kim" cigarettes in 1982. In 2023 rules first allowed all female players, included but not limited to in the girls’ singles junior event, to wear non-white underwear; the new rule allows "solid, mid/dark-coloured undershorts, provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt".<ref name="auto"/> Green clothing was worn by the chair umpire, linesmen, ball boys and ball girls until the 2005 Championships; however, beginning with the 2006 Championships, officials, ball boys and ball girls were dressed in new navy blue- and cream-coloured uniforms from American designer [[Ralph Lauren]].

===Referring to players===
By tradition, the "Men's" and "Women's" competitions are referred to as "Gentlemen's" and "Ladies'" competitions at Wimbledon. The junior competitions are referred to as the "Boys'" and "Girls'" competitions.

Prior to 2009, female players were referred to by the title "Miss" or "Mrs" on scoreboards. On the Wimbledon's Champions Board, married female players were referred to by their husband's name up until 2019. For the first time during the 2009 tournament, players were referred to on scoreboards by both their first and last names.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why has Wimbledon dropped 'Miss'?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8126223.stm|work=BBC|date=30 June 2009|access-date=28 February 2015|archive-date=3 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703043116/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8126223.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The title "Mr" is not used for male players who are professionals on scoreboards but is retained for amateurs, although chair umpires refer to players as "Mr" when they use the replay challenge. The chair umpire will say "Mr <surname> is challenging the call..." and "Mr. <surname> has X challenges remaining." Up until 2018, the chair umpire said "Miss"/"Mrs" <surname> when announcing the score of the Ladies' matches. However, the chair umpire no longer calls "Miss"/"Mrs" <surname> when announcing the score, since 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/sports/wimbledon-wedded-to-tradition-steps-into-the-present.html |title=Wimbledon, Wedded to Tradition, Steps into the Present |author=Ben Rothenberg |date=1 July 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=1 July 2019 |archive-date=1 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701124402/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/sports/wimbledon-wedded-to-tradition-steps-into-the-present.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As of the 2022 edition of the tournament, the use of Mr, Miss and Mrs was eliminated: players are now referred to by their names, as written on the scoreboard by the umpire at all points in a match.

If a match is being played with two competitors of the same surname (e.g. Venus and Serena Williams, Bob and Mike Bryan), the chair umpire will specify to whom they are referring by stating the player's first name and surname during announcements (e.g. "Game, Venus Williams", "Advantage, Mike Bryan").

===Royal family===
[[File:The Royal Gallery at Centre Court, Wimbledon.jpg|thumb|right|The Royal Gallery at Centre Court, Wimbledon]]
Previously, players bowed or curtsied to members of the [[British royal family|royal family]] seated in the Royal Box upon entering or leaving Centre Court. However, in 2003, All England Club president [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent]] decided to discontinue the tradition. Now, players are required to bow or curtsy only if the [[Prince of Wales]] or the [[List of British monarchs|King]] is present,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/about_aeltc/201205091336583247824.html |title=Wimbledon – The Royal Box |publisher=[[AELTC]] |website=www.wimbledon.com |access-date=28 August 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903092323/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/about_aeltc/201205091336583247824.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as was in practice during the 2010 Championships when [[Elizabeth II]] was in attendance at Wimbledon on 24 June.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eden |first=Richard |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/7728927/Advantage-Andy-Murray-as-the-Queen-visits-Wimbledon.html |title=Advantage Andy Murray as the Queen visits Wimbledon |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=15 May 2010 |access-date=26 July 2010 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524010028/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/7728927/Advantage-Andy-Murray-as-the-Queen-visits-Wimbledon.html |archive-date=24 May 2010 }}</ref>
On 27 June 2012, Roger Federer said in his post-match interview that he and his opponent had been asked to bow towards the Royal Box as [[Charles III|Prince Charles]] and [[Queen Camilla|his wife]] were present, saying that it was not a problem for him.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/wimbledon12/story/_/id/8101137/wimbledon-2012-roger-federer-wins-prince-charles | work=ESPN | title=Roger Federer advances to 3rd round | date=27 June 2012 | access-date=20 August 2012 | archive-date=15 July 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715003829/http://espn.go.com/tennis/wimbledon12/story/_/id/8101137/wimbledon-2012-roger-federer-wins-prince-charles | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Services stewards===
[[File:Wimbledon_scoreboard.jpg|thumb|right|A Royal Marines Commando as a services steward in 2005]]

Prior to the Second World War, members of the [[Brigade of Guards]] and retired members of the [[Royal Artillery]] performed the role of stewards. In 1946 the AELTC offered employment to wartime servicemen returning to civilian life during their demobilisation leave. Initially, this scheme extended only to the [[Royal Navy]], followed by the [[British Army]] in 1947 and the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1949. In 1965 [[London Fire Brigade]] members joined the ranks of stewards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ArmyWestMidlands/posts/590494050995421  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/550154565029370/590494050995421 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Follow my blog as a steward at Wimbledon |publisher=Army West Midlands }}{{cbignore}}</ref> The service stewards, wearing uniform, are present in Centre Court and No.'s 1, 2, 3, 12 and 18 courts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Leigh |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wimbledon-fans-show-pride-in-armed-forces |title=Wimbledon fans show pride in Armed Forces |work=Defence News |date=2 July 2010 |access-date=10 July 2016 |location=London |archive-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819044914/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wimbledon-fans-show-pride-in-armed-forces |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, 595 Service and London Fire Brigade stewards attended.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/faq_and_facts_and_figures.html |title=Wimbledon – Facts and Figures |publisher=[[AELTC]] |website=www.wimbledon.com |access-date=10 July 2016 |archive-date=14 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614124314/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/faq_and_facts_and_figures.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Only enlisted members of the Armed Forces may apply for the role, which must be taken as leave, and half of each year's recruits must have stewarded at Wimbledon before. The AELTC pays a subsistence allowance to servicemen and women working as stewards to defray their accommodation costs for the period of the Championships. The Service Stewards are not to be confused with the 185 Honorary Stewards.

===Tickets===
[[File:WimbledonResaleTicket2016.jpg|thumb|right|Wimbledon operates a ticket resale system where returned Show Court tickets can be purchased.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ticket Resale Kiosk|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/ticket_resale_kiosk.html|website=www.wimbledon.com|publisher=[[AELTC]]|access-date=21 August 2016|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822235013/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/ticket_resale_kiosk.html|url-status=live}}</ref> All proceeds go to charity.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ticket Resale – where does it go?|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2015-07-27/ticket_resale_where_does_it_go.html|website=www.wimbledon.com|publisher=[[AELTC]]|access-date=21 August 2016|date=27 July 2015|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822220419/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2015-07-27/ticket_resale_where_does_it_go.html|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
[[File:All England Lawn Tennis Ground Ltd 1930.jpg|thumb|Debenture of the All England Lawn Tennis Ground Ltd., issued 20th August 1930]]

The majority of centre and show court tickets sold to the general public have since 1924 been made available by a public ballot that the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club holds at the start of the year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ballot|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/tickets/201205091336562669724.html|publisher=[[AELTC]]|access-date=25 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219172911/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/tickets/201205091336562669724.html|archive-date=19 February 2013}}</ref> The ballot has always been substantially oversubscribed. Successful applicants are selected at random by a computer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tickets|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/tickets/index.html|publisher=[[AELTC]]|access-date=1 September 2012|archive-date=24 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924142452/https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/tickets/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The most recent figures from 2011 suggested there were four applicants to every ballot ticket. Applications must be posted to arrive at the AELTC by the last day of December in the year prior to the tournament. Seats and days are allocated randomly and ballot tickets are not transferable.

The All England Club, through its subsidiary The All England Lawn Tennis Ground plc, issues [[Debenture (sport)|debentures]] to tennis fans every five years to raise funds for capital expenditure. Fans who invest thus in the club receive a pair of tickets for every day of the Wimbledon Championships for the five years the investment lasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeltc.com/cms/debentures/about/About.aspx |title=Wimbledon Debentures – About Debentures – About Wimbledon Debentures |publisher=[[AELTC]].com |access-date=26 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723005314/http://www.aeltc.com/cms/debentures/about/About.aspx |archive-date=23 July 2010 }}</ref> Only debenture holders are permitted to sell on their tickets to third parties and demand for debentures has increased in recent{{when|date=July 2022}} years, to such an extent that they are even traded on the [[London Stock Exchange]].{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Wimbledon and the French Open are the only Grand Slam tournaments where fans without tickets for play can queue up and still get seats on the three show courts on the day of the match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rolandgarros.fft-tickets.com/uk/information/ticket-info/evening-visitors |title=Evening Visitors &#124; Le site officiel de la billetterie Roland-Garros 2013 |publisher=Rolandgarros.fft-tickets.com |access-date=6 July 2013 |archive-date=21 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621041540/http://rolandgarros.fft-tickets.com/uk/information/ticket-info/evening-visitors |url-status=live }}</ref> Sequentially numbered queue cards were introduced in 2003. From 2008, there is a single queue, allotted about 500 seats for each court. When they join the queue, fans are handed queue cards. Anyone who then wishes to leave the queue temporarily, even if in possession of a queue card, must agree their position with the others nearby in the queue or a steward.

To get access to the show courts, fans normally have to queue overnight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/natee/2007/07/16/entry-1 |title=Natee's Blog |publisher=[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]] |access-date=6 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714160621/http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/natee/2007/07/16/entry-1 |archive-date=14 July 2011 }}</ref> This is done by fans from all over the world and, although considered vagrancy, is part of the Wimbledon experience in itself. The All-England Club allows overnight queuing and provides toilet and water facilities for campers. Early in the morning when the line moves towards the Grounds, stewards walk along the line and hand out wristbands that are colour-coded to the specific court. The wrist band (and payment) is exchanged at the ticket office for the ticket when the grounds open. General admission to the grounds gives access to the outer courts and is possible without queuing overnight. Tickets returned by people leaving early go on sale at 2:30{{nbsp}}pm and the money goes to charity. Queuing for the show courts ends after the quarter finals have been completed.

At 2.40pm on Day Seven (Monday 28 June) of the [[2010 Wimbledon Championships|2010 Championships]], the one-millionth numbered Wimbledon queue card was handed out to Rose Stanley from South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Championships – Day Nine Diary|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/06/Wimbledon/Wimbledon-Diary-Day-Nine.aspx|website=www.atpworldtour.com|publisher=ATP|date=29 June 2010|access-date=28 February 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132333/http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/06/Wimbledon/Wimbledon-Diary-Day-Nine.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=John Martin|title=For Many Wimbledon Fans, the Waiting Is Not the Hardest Part|url=http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/03/for-many-wimbledon-fans-the-wait-is-worth-it/|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=3 July 2010|access-date=28 February 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402222351/http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/03/for-many-wimbledon-fans-the-wait-is-worth-it/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sponsorship===
Unlike other tournaments, advertising from major brands is minimal and low key, from suppliers such as [[IBM]], [[Rolex]] and [[Slazenger]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Information about Official suppliers to The Championships. |url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/official_suppliers.html |access-date=26 June 2022 |website=Wimbledon.com |quote=The Club has always sought to retain the unique image and character of The Championships and has successfully achieved this over many years by developing long-term mutually beneficial Official Supplier agreements with a range of blue-chip brands, as well as specifically not commercialising the Grounds overtly. |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626012232/https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/official_suppliers.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rothenberg |first=Ben |date=9 July 2017 |title=Wimbledon in Style for Marketers, Bringing a Reverent Hush to Their Ads |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/09/business/media/marketing-advertising-at-wimbledon.html |access-date=26 June 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626202538/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/09/business/media/marketing-advertising-at-wimbledon.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Wimbledon is notable for the longest running sponsorship in sports history due to its association with Slazenger who have supplied all tennis balls for the tournament since 1902.<ref>{{cite web|title=At 113 Years and Counting, Slazenger Maintains the Longest Sponsorship in Sports|url=http://www.sesponsorshipgroup.com/sponsorship-figures/2015/11/3/at-113-years-and-counting-slazenger-maintains-the-longest-sponsorship-in-sports|publisher=S&E Sponsorship Group|date=4 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617070504/http://www.sesponsorshipgroup.com/sponsorship-figures/2015/11/3/at-113-years-and-counting-slazenger-maintains-the-longest-sponsorship-in-sports|archive-date=17 June 2016}}</ref> Between 1935 and 2021, Wimbledon had a sponsorship deal with [[Robinsons (drink)|Robinsons]] [[Squash (drink)|fruit squash]] – one of the longest sponsorships in sport.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2022 |title=Robinsons and Wimbledon end 86-year partnership |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jun/24/robinsons-and-wimbledon-end-86-year-partnership |access-date=26 June 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |quote=Squash brand’s sponsorship deal with tennis championships was one of the longest in sport |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625215147/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jun/24/robinsons-and-wimbledon-end-86-year-partnership |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Strawberries and cream===
[[Strawberry|Strawberries and cream]] are traditionally eaten by spectators at Wimbledon and have become culturally synonymous with the tournament. The origin of this tradition has been said to derive from a visit King [[Henry VIII]] paid to his Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, whose home was at Hampton Court, about six miles from Wimbledon, when the chancellor's cook is rumoured to have served wild strawberries and cream as a dessert. Since the King ate it, the dessert gained popularity.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Ben |title=Why do fans at Wimbledon eat strawberries and cream and drink Pimm's? |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/tennis/news/wimbledon-tradition-strawberries-and-cream-pimms/xqadlsnevufm1vufjfkstiyr |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=www.sportingnews.com |date=10 July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228220934/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/tennis/news/wimbledon-tradition-strawberries-and-cream-pimms/xqadlsnevufm1vufjfkstiyr |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, fans consumed 34,000{{nbsp}}kg (33 imperial tons) of British strawberries and 10,000 litres (2,200 imperial gallons) of cream. In 2019, 191,930 portions of strawberries and cream were served at The Championships at Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Facts and Figures |url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/faq_and_facts_and_figures.html |website=www.wimbledon.com |access-date=28 February 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629210943/https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/faq_and_facts_and_figures.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===The Wimbledon champions' dinner and ball=== 

The Wimbledon Champions' Dinner, formerly known as the Champions' Ball, is an event organized after the end of each edition of the Wimbledon Championships and it is consisted of a dinner and a dance between the Men's and Women's singles winners. A picture of them with their respective trophies is also taken at this event.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A fitting end: Through the years at the Wimbledon champions' dinner |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/photos/1719758/a-fitting-end-through-the-years-at-the-wimbledon-champions-dinner |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Women's Tennis Association |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 Champions Dinner |url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/galleries/2024-07-15/2024-07-15_the_2024_champions_dinner.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=www.wimbledon.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2023 Champions Dinner |url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/galleries/2023-07-17/2023-07-17_the_2023_wimbledon_champions_dinner.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=www.wimbledon.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tennis.com |title=PHOTOS: Carlos Alcaraz, Barbora Krejcikova sparkle at Wimbledon Champions Dinner |url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/photos-carlos-alcaraz-barbora-krejcikova-dance-at-wimbledon-champions-dinner-louis-vuitton-rolex-rado |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Tennis.com |language=en}}</ref>

Since later years, the dance tradition became not mandatory and sporadically returned in some editions of the tournament,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facts and Figures / FAQ|url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/faq_and_facts_and_figures.html |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.wimbledon.com}}</ref> notably, in 2015, [[Novak Djokovic]] and [[Serena Williams]] danced together to the [[Bee Gees]]’ "Night Fever" at the dinner, evoking the spirit of the original Champions' Ball.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://time.com/3955622/serena-williams-novak-djokovic-dance/ | title=Watch Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic Dance to the BeeGees | date=13 July 2015 }}</ref> In 2018, Djokovic invited [[Angelique Kerber]] to dance at the dinner.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXPNsyL2bRw | title=Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber dance at Champions' Dinner | date=16 July 2018 }}</ref>

In 2024, the champions [[Carlos Alcaraz]] and [[Barbora Krejčíková]] also danced together. <ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 Champions Dinner |url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/galleries/2024-07-15/2024-07-15_the_2024_champions_dinner.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=www.wimbledon.com}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Krishnan |first=Shivom |date=2024-07-16 |title="I totally get why Iga Swiatek don't wanna win"- Fans react hilariously to Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejcikova's dance at Wimbledon Champions' Ball |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-i-totally-get-iga-swiatek-don-t-wanna-win-fans-react-hilariously-carlos-alcaraz-barbora-krejcikova-s-dance-wimbledon-champions-ball |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}} </ref>

In 1977, the dinner was rescheduled to the middle Saturday of the tournament, which resulted in the end of the formal champions' dance tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facts and Figures / FAQ|url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/faq_and_facts_and_figures.html |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.wimbledon.com}}</ref> 

In recent years, the Champions' Dinner has been hosted at The Lawn, a hospitality venue located on the grounds of The Wimbledon Club, across from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. It gathers players, their families, and distinguished guests to celebrate the tournament's champions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facts and Figures / FAQ|url=https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/faq_and_facts_and_figures.html |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.wimbledon.com}}</ref> 

In 2021, the Champions' Dinner was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, marking a rare interruption in the tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edmonds |first=Lizzie |date=2021-07-08 |title=Wimbledon Champions Ball dinner axed due to Covid |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/wimbledon-champions-ball-cancelled-covid-restrictions-b944762.html |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>