10 cool facts about Wimbledon that you probably didn't know
Wimbledon is well underway, with Novak Djokovic marching through the draw in his bid to defend his crown. But the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and others will be gunning to stop his march, while a host of unheralded newcomers will be looking to spoil everyone's party.
The Championships are a fan favourite world over and this Major is the most prestigious tennis tournament of them all. But not everything about Wimbledon is all that well-known! Here are 10 things that the fans may not have known about the event:
1. Attendance wasn’t always this good
Wimbledon is now one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, but back in its earliest days saw abysmally low numbers in attendance.
There were only 200 spectators in the first Wimbledon tournament and the tickets were sold for one shilling each in the final match. Those aren't quite 'royal' numbers!
2. Interruptions, interruptions!
Wimbledon has been held without fail since 1877, except for two significant time periods in history.
The first set of missed tournaments happened between 1915 and 1918, and the second between 1940 and 1945 – the progress of the First and Second World Wars, respectively.
The Wimbledon structure was actually used as a shelter during that time period.
3. The Wimbledon towel is manufactured in India!
The iconic purple and green towels emblazoned with the Wimbledon logo, that proudly read ‘The Championships’ across them, are actually made in India. Welspun are the official manufacturers of the plush towels that are used by the best in the game and draped across their chairs during matches.
These towels are brought to you in India by Welspun's Spaces Home & Beyond. To get your own official Wimbledon towel, and win fabulous gifts in the process, visit the Welspun store!
4. Martina Hingis has a special relationship with Wimbledon
One of the most talented young prodigies in the game, Martina Hingis became the youngest ever winner in Wimbledon history in 1996, when she won the women’s doubles title at 15 years, 282 days old.
She would go on to become the world’s top-ranked player in both singles and doubles by the next year.
Before Hingis, English player Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Dod was the youngest ever winner, at only a week older than Hingis had been, although Dod’s record was set before the Open Era of tennis.