Explainers ·
Wimbledon traditions: white clothes, strawberries and the Queue
Why Wimbledon looks and feels different from every other tournament.
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, first played in 1877, and it keeps many traditions that set it apart from the other Grand Slams.
- All-white clothing. Players must dress almost entirely in white on court. It is the best known of the club's rules.
- Grass courts. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam still played on grass, so the ball skids and stays low.
- Strawberries and cream. The traditional snack of the tournament, eaten by spectators in the grounds.
- The Royal Box. A special box on Centre Court for guests of the club, which often includes members of the royal family.
- The Queue. Many spectators queue overnight for tickets sold on the day, and the Queue is a tradition in its own right.
The tournament was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first time since the Second World War that it was not played. See every champion on the Wimbledon page.
Sources: Wimbledon (All England Club); Wikipedia (Wimbledon Championships).
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