10 interesting facts about Wimbledon that you probably didn't know

Wimbledon is probably the first tournament every tennis player aspires to compete in. Many fairytales have taken shape in this tournament over the years. It has also elevated the level of many tennis players in the eyes of the public, players who have gone to win the tournament and achieve their dream of reaching the pinnacle of tennis.Tennis’ most prestigious Grand Slam event starts on June 29 this year. It is one of the four Grand Slams in tennis, and the only Grand Slam event that takes place on grass. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London, since 1877.The current champions in the men’s division are Novak Djokovic in the singles category, and Vasek Pospisil/Jack Sock in the doubles category. Petra Kvitova is the current champion in the women’s singles category, while Sara Errani/Roberta Vinci are the champions in the women’s doubles category.Let us now look at 10 interesting facts about Wimbledon that you probably didn’t know.

#10 Youngest player to win the tournament was also an Olympic archery medallist

Charlotte Dod

The youngest player ever to become a champion at the event was Charlotte Dod, who won the Wimbledon singles event in 1887 at the age of 15 years and 285 days. She went on to win the title for the next 5 years, from 1887 to 1891.

What is more interesting about Charlotte is that she won a silver medal in archery at the 1908 London Olympics. She was also a member of the British National field hockey team in 1899. Dod also won the British Amateur Golf Championship in 1904.

Due to her exploits in various sports, she has been named in the Guinness Book of Records as the most versatile female athlete of all time.

#9 Strict dress code irked Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi

Wimbledon has a all-white dress code and the umpire decides if the players meet the stipulations of the code.

8-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi refused to compete at Wimbledon between 1988 and 1990 due to the restrictions imposed on dress code, and called the atmosphere 'stuffy'.

#8 Fastest serve recorded in the tournament

Taylor Dent

The fastest ever serve recorded at Wimbledon belongs to American Taylor Dent.

He served at a speed of 148 mph to Novak Djokovic in the 2010 edition of the tournament., but ultimately went on to lose the match.

148 mph, or roughly around 240 kmph, is as fast as most of the racing cars that we have today.

#7 Bombing during World War II

The center court of Wimbledon was bombed in World War II

Five bombs hit the Centre Court at the All England Club, destroying 1,200 seats, during World War II. The area was brought back to its former glory by the officials in 1949, even though play had resumed in 1946.

#6 The youngest male champion was also the first unseeded champion

Boris Becker with the Wimbledon title in 1985

Boris Becker won the Wimbledon Championship in the year 1985. In that process, he managed to achieve three feats.

a. He became the youngest male champion, at the age of 17 years and 227 days.

b. He was the first German to win Wimbledon.

c. What is even more interesting is the fact that Becker was also the first unseeded champion in Wimbledon.

He defeated Kevin Curren in the final 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.

#5 28,000 kg strawberries and 7,000 litres of cream

Strawberries at Wimbledon

Every year at Wimbledon, around 28,000 kg of strawberries are eaten along with 7,000 litres of cream.Strawberries and cream, a preferred delicacy for English people, is a favourite among fans coming from all over the world.

#4 First man to be disqualified from the event was Tim Henman

Tim Henman apologised to the girl

Tim Henman was the first man to be disqualified from Wimbledon in the year 1995. And the reason for his disqualification is rather embarrassing.

Once during a match, he lost his temper and smashed a ball in frustration, which went on to hit a young ball girl right in the face.

Henman realised his mistake and apologized profusely to the girl, even giving her some flowers to ask for her forgiveness. But hat didn’t stop him from being disqualified!

#3 Introduction of yellow balls

Yellow balls were introduced at Wimbledon in 1986

Yellow balls were used for the first time at Wimbledon in 1986. The reason for the change was that the umpires found it difficult to see the white balls which were used in the Championships earlier.

#2 250 ball boys and girls

Ball boys and girls at Wimbledon

Each year, 250 ball boys and girls are selected for Wimbledon. The average age of these kids is 15 and they earn about £150 in two weeks of the tournament.

#1 Curtseying to the royal box used to be mandatory

Roger Federer and Fabio Fognini bow to the Queen after their match at Wimbledon

Players used to bow to the Royal Box upon entering or leaving the Centre Court.

However, in 2003, the President of the All England Club, the Duke of Kent, decided to discontinue that tradition. The players are now supposed to bow only if His Royal Highness Prince of Wales, or Her Majesty the Queen is present.

This new tradition was followed at the 2010 Championships, when the Queen was in attendance.