The Centre Court Allure of Wimbledon

Photo by Jed Leicester for AELTC.

Tell any Brit or past attendee that you’ve snapped up tickets to Wimbledon and you’ll receive the same ring of vicarious joy in return: “You’re going to have such a great day out.” And this is an understatement.

Certainly, watching the pinnacle of grand slams live is a thrill in and of itself, but Wimbledon cannot be defined by a steady march of match draws. Instead, its influence should be credited to the elaborate tapestry of tennis tradition it has woven since its inception in 1877: setting, sport, and spectacle.

Immaculate ivy frames the names of show courts at SW19 (postal code and moniker) alongside the splendour of the trademark purple and green branding. The grounds are abuzz with restrained excitement as guests from across the world give solid effort to adopting the smart-casual dress code (players still adhere to all white, with strict exceptions). This is hallowed ground, after all: the crown jewel of tennis tournaments,

For players, mastering the grass courts is the ultimate recognition of skill, where hope of making tennis history hangs high—literally. Two lines from Rudyard Kipling’s “If” are inscribed over the entrance to Centre Court: If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same.

It’s where tennis glory is won and told, where Andy Murray ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a homegrown champion in 2013. Home to what is widely considered the greatest tennis match ever played: the 2008 men’s singles final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Where Serena Williams captured seven singles titles before being sent off with an emotional Centre Court ceremony.

This year may make history as well. A “carnage of the seeds,” it has seen a record eight top-10 seeds eliminated in the first round. This may be due to the introduction of fully automated electronic line judges—close calls captured with astonishing accuracy and replayed on-screen for awestruck crowds, much to a few players’ dismay.

If there is one place to take it all in, from the drama and innovation to the strawberries and cream, it’s Centre Court. Easily the most famous tennis court in the world, Centre Court is the place where tradition and “tenniscore” collide. Only ever used at The Championships, this showpiece court is attended by royalty and celebrities alike.

Often-photographed 2025 spectators have thus far included Princess Beatrice and her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York; Lady Gabriella Windsor; Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh; and a visiting royal, King Frederik X of Denmark. Tucked in amongst the royals are David Beckham, Jodie Foster, Sienna Miller, Simu Liu, Jessica Alba, and Cate Blanchett, to name a few.

Come finals, the Princess of Wales, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), is expected on-site to hand-deliver the Cup and Venus Rosewater Dish to the singles finals winners.

To sidle up alongside them, fans can strike it lucky by entering the Public Ballot, a random draw of tickets for the coming year, or queue for on-the-day sales. Even better, they can skip the stress and commit to a five-year debenture—limited-quantity VIP passes issued to Centre or No. 1 Court matches for every day of the fortnight tournament—or secure show court seats through official hospitality packages that include debenture seats and exclusive access to dining, amenities, and an on-site concierge.

Making it to the grounds is half the pleasure, so it’s best to choose a good home base for the world’s finest tennis. Vintry & Mercer at the heart of the city’s Vintry Ward offers polished reprieve from the clamour of crowds. Garden-fresh motifs and cascading lights illuminate the lobby, drawing tennis fans in for gentle rest in plush rooms with a distinctly London feel. After a match, the Mercer rooftop terrace offers Maldon Rock oysters and burrata, peach, and heirloom tomato salad along with views of The Shard at sunset. It’s just a 15-minute walk across Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern the next morning before heading off for another day of tennis.

Great tennis, actually. It seems near-impossible to be disappointed by a match at The Championships (leave that to the departing players). This year’s quarterfinals saw a bevy of action and drama: Iga Świątek and Belinda Bencic are through to their first-ever semifinals, as are Taylor Fritz and Amanda Anisimova, the latter two winning on incredible tie-breaks. Jannik Sinner is back for a second time at the semis since 2023, while seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic joins defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for his third straight year. And despite receiving boos from the crowd after smashing her racquet into the net, Aryna Sabalenka is through as well.

Bucket list adventure for some or another day at the courts for well-heeled Brits, being in attendance any year is both a privilege and a pleasure—a slice of tennis history to behold.

Wimbledon singles semifinals will be broadcast July 10 and 11, with finals airing July 12 and 13, 2025.

Wimbledon photographs courtesy of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

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