Why the world's most prestigious tennis tournament began as a simple croquet club activity.

Cultures · Published 29 September 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament on Earth, yet it started as an afterthought for a private croquet club in 1877. Today, it remains the only Grand Slam played on natural grass, governed by strict traditions like all-white dress codes and a unique, centuries-old royal patronage.

The All England Croquet Club was founded in 1868, but it was not until 1876 that lawn tennis—a game originally called Sphairistikè—was added to its activities. By 1877, the club rebranded as the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club and hosted its inaugural championship. The first Gentlemen's Singles final, held on 19 July 1877, saw Spencer Gore defeat William Marshall in just 48 minutes before a crowd of about 200 spectators who paid one shilling each.

For decades, the tournament operated under the 'challenge round' system, where the reigning champion automatically advanced to the final, resting while challengers played through the bracket. This practice ended in 1922, the same year the club moved to its current Church Road site. The tournament has evolved significantly since, transitioning from an amateur-only event to the professional Open era in 1968. It has survived two World Wars and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the latter of which triggered a massive £114 million insurance payout.

Wimbledon is defined by its resistance to change, yet it has modernized through major infrastructure projects. The 2009 introduction of a retractable roof on Centre Court finally allowed matches to continue regardless of rain, while 2025 marks the end of human line judges in favor of electronic calling systems. Despite these shifts, the tournament maintains its distinct identity, from the consumption of strawberries and cream to the world's longest-running sports sponsorship with Slazenger, which has provided the tournament's balls since 1902.

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