Wimbledon is the biggest event in the tennis calendar, and The Sport Review has all the information about it, including its history, a list of previous winners, location, prize money, traditions, and so much more.
Grab a drink, get your strawberries and cream at the ready and brace yourself for some of the greatest tennis on the planet. It can only be Wimbledon.
Since its inception in 1877, the London-based tournament has played host to some of the greatest names to ever grace the sport, including the likes of Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and so many more.
So, with this, here is absolutely everything you need to know about it.
The history of Wimbledon
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and for that reason, it’s encased in rich history.
It all began in 1877, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, situated in south-west London. Just 22 male players competed in a singles event, then known as the gentlemen’s singles.
There were only a few hundred spectators who gathered, who paid just a shilling each to watch the final. A stark contrast to the masses that tune in now, both in person and on television.
Women’s singles and men’s doubles were added in 1884, then over time, the tournament slowly grew in popularity, and the best players in the world were turning up at Wimbledon.
British players dominated the early years, but gradually competitors on the world stage came to the forefront, and that’s what helped it achieve global recognition and become one of the four Grand Slams.
Where is Wimbledon located?
Wimbledon is located in south-west London, England. Specifically, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
- UK Address: Church Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5AE, United Kingdom.
Nearest airport to Wimbledon
The nearest airport to Wimbledon is London Heathrow Airport (LHR). It’s around 14 miles (22 km) from the grass courts.
It will take you around 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic, via public transport or a taxi. The best route to take is the Heathrow Express to Paddington, then the Tube to Wimbledon (or a taxi from Paddington).
Hotels near Wimbledon
| Preference | Best Pick |
|---|---|
| Best | Hotel du Vin |
| Closest | The Woodman or Antoinette (in SW19) |
| Budget | Travelodge |
| Happy medium | Holiday Inn Express |
Wimbledon ticket information
Wimbledon tickets are available via a public ballot, on-the-day queue, hospitality packages, and debenture resale. The ballot offers randomly allocated tickets at face value, but it is extremely hard to win.
The queue allows fans to buy same-day tickets, including grounds passes and limited show court seats. Hospitality packages guarantee premium access with food and drink.
Debenture tickets are expensive but offer the best seats. All tickets are now digital and managed through the official Wimbledon app or website.
Please also be careful buying tickets from third-party sources. These tickets may be illegitimate, and you will lose out.
Traditions at Wimbledon
What sets Wimbledon apart is the traditions it upholds. It’s still to this day the only major still played on grass, players wear all white, there’s no flashy advertising around the courts and, of course, the strawberries and cream!
- The white clothing rule
- Strawberries and cream
- Royal Box
- No sponsor advertising
- Middle Sunday rest (historically)
- Grass courts only
Wimbledon prize money
Prize money at Wimbledon now stands at a whopping £3,000,000. The evolution of the cash sum can be seen below.
| Year | Total Prize Fund | Singles Champion Prize (Each) |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | £26,150 | £2,000 |
| 1978 | £230,000 | £20,000 |
| 1988 | £3,160,000 | £230,000 |
| 1998 | £6,800,000 | £450,000 |
| 2008 | £13,000,000 | £750,000 |
| 2018 | £34,000,000 | £2,250,000 |
| 2023 | £44,700,000 | £2,350,000 |
| 2025 | £53,500,000 | £3,000,000 |
Wimbledon past winners and records
Recent Gentlemen’s Singles Champions
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Carlos Alcaraz | Novak Djokovic | 1–6, 7–6(6), 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 |
| 2022 | Novak Djokovic | Nick Kyrgios | 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(3) |
| 2021 | Novak Djokovic | Matteo Berrettini | 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 6–4, 6–3 |
| 2020 | Cancelled | Cancelled | No tournament (COVID-19) |
| 2019 | Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | 7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3) |
| 2018 | Novak Djokovic | Kevin Anderson | 6–2, 6–2, 7–6(3) |
| 2017 | Roger Federer | Marin Čilić | 6–3, 6–1, 6–4 |
| 2016 | Andy Murray | Milos Raonic | 6–4, 7–6(3), 7–6(2) |
| 2015 | Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | 7–6(1), 6–7(10), 6–4, 6–3 |
| 2014 | Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | 6–7(7), 6–4, 7–6(4), 5–7, 6–4 |
| 2013 | Andy Murray | Novak Djokovic | 6–4, 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2012 | Roger Federer | Andy Murray | 4–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2011 | Novak Djokovic | Rafael Nadal | 6–4, 6–1, 1–6, 6–3 |
| 2010 | Rafael Nadal | Tomáš Berdych | 6–3, 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2009 | Roger Federer | Andy Roddick | 5–7, 7–6(6), 7–6(5), 3–6, 16–14 |
| 2008 | Rafael Nadal | Roger Federer | 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5), 6–7(8), 9–7 |
| 2007 | Roger Federer | Rafael Nadal | 7–6(7), 4–6, 7–6(3), 2–6, 6–2 |
| 2006 | Roger Federer | Rafael Nadal | 6–0, 7–6(5), 6–7(2), 6–3 |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Andy Roddick | 6–2, 7–6(2), 6–4 |
| 2004 | Roger Federer | Andy Roddick | 4–6, 7–5, 7–6(3), 6–4 |
Recent Ladies’ Singles champions
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Markéta Vondroušová | Ons Jabeur | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2022 | Elena Rybakina | Ons Jabeur | 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2021 | Ashleigh Barty | Karolína Plíšková | 6–3, 6–7(4), 6–3 |
| 2020 | Cancelled | Cancelled | No tournament (COVID-19) |
| 2019 | Simona Halep | Serena Williams | 6–2, 6–2 |
| 2018 | Angelique Kerber | Serena Williams | 6–3, 6–3 |
| 2017 | Garbiñe Muguruza | Venus Williams | 7–5, 6–0 |
| 2016 | Serena Williams | Angelique Kerber | 7–5, 6–3 |
| 2015 | Serena Williams | Garbiñe Muguruza | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2014 | Petra Kvitová | Eugenie Bouchard | 6–3, 6–0 |
| 2013 | Marion Bartoli | Sabine Lisicki | 6–1, 6–4 |
| 2012 | Serena Williams | Agnieszka Radwańska | 6–1, 5–7, 6–2 |
| 2011 | Petra Kvitová | Maria Sharapova | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2010 | Serena Williams | Vera Zvonareva | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2009 | Serena Williams | Venus Williams | 7–6(3), 6–2 |
| 2008 | Venus Williams | Serena Williams | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2007 | Venus Williams | Marion Bartoli | 6–4, 6–1 |
| 2006 | Amélie Mauresmo | Justine Henin | 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2005 | Venus Williams | Lindsay Davenport | 4–6, 7–6(4), 9–7 |
| 2004 | Maria Sharapova | Serena Williams | 6–1, 6–4 |
What is the longest ever Wimbledon final?
The longest ever Wimbledon final was the 2019 Gentlemen’s Singles final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, which lasted 4 hours and 57 minutes.
Djokovic won the match with a dramatic fifth-set tiebreak, finishing 7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3). It was a simply ludicrous fixture.
Who has won Wimbledon the most times?
The record for the most Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles titles is held by Roger Federer, who has won eight times (2003–2007, 2009, 2012, 2017).
For the Ladies’ Singles, it’s Martina Navratilova with nine Wimbledon titles to her name (1978–1979, 1982–1987, 1990).