Where the magic happens: Interesting facts about Wimbledon

by Elizabeth DeLuca Tickets and Hospitality

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament being played dating back to 1877 thereby completing a journey of over 137 years. With the Wimbledon 2015 ticket sales gathering pace and with the huge increase in sales of Wimbledon debenture tickets which include several mouthwatering deal packages including centre court tickets, all of the world’s attention is now on Wimbledon. During the long span of the tournament there have been many moments that have grasped the spectator’s attention and have been etched in history. But that is common knowledge. There are many facts about the most prestigious event in tennis fraternity that are not known even too many Wimbledon faithful. Take a look at some of the bizarre and not so bizarre facts about the great tournament.

Did you know?

1. It is common knowledge that Wimbledon started in 1877 but did you know the first Wimbledon Championship that took place in 1877 was solely as an amateur competition. Men's singles was the only event that took place. There were 22 competitors and the championship was won by Spencer Gore. He won the title in 1877 defeating William Marshall in straight sets lasting 48 minutes. Only few hundred spectators were in attendance as opposed to nowadays where the maximum registered attendance is 490,081 spectators during the 2001 event.

2 .During World War II, a bomb ripped through Centre Court at the All England Club and 1,200 seats were lost. Play finally resumed in 1946 but it wasn't until 1949 that the area was back in top shape.

3. Charlotte Dod became the youngest player ever to win a Wimbledon singles event when, in 1887, she won at the age of 15. In 1996 Martina Hingis became a Wimbledon doubles champion at 15 years old and was also a silver medalist in archery at the 1908 Olympics, a member of the British national field hockey team in 1899, and the British Amateur golf champ in 1904.

The Bizarre

4. An American player, Pat Stewart, once competed at Wimbledon in the 1960s in a short dress and with her phone number embroidered on her knickers.

5. In 1995, Tim Henman became the first person ever to be disqualified from Wimbledon. He lost his temper and angrily smashed a ball away, straight into the face of an innocent young ball girl. Henman was mortified when he realized, and later gave the girl some flowers to apologize.

6. Jean Borotra of France entered in the men`s singles competition 35 times between 1922 and 1964, his last title coming at the age of 41. In 1977 he appeared in the Veterans` Doubles at the ripe age of 78. That`s a 55 years span Wimbledon love affair.

These facts and more are what make this great tournament even greater. Wimbledon has treated the spectators with great care and love and provides the best Wimbledon packages to make the tournament more about them. As a spectator one can only hope for getting their hands on Wimbledon 2015 tickets as they are the most treasured item in all of sports.