Seven Wimbledon titles and her reign in 1988, where she won all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold, make Graf one of the all-time greats.
1993–2000
Pete Sampras
Known for his serve-and-volley dominance, Sampras’ seven Wimbledon titles set the gold standard for grass-court tennis in the 1990s.
2002–2016
Serena Williams
With seven Wimbledon titles, her influence transcends tennis, inspiring athletes worldwide and advocating for racial and gender equality.
2003–2017
Roger Federer
Widely regarded as a master of grass-court tennis, he holds eight Wimbledon singles titles, known for his elegance and fluid style of play.
Over a Century of Tennis Excellence
A Legacy of Tradition
Wimbledon is the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, held annually at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club since 1877. Over the decades, it has evolved from a local competition to a global spectacle, reflecting shifts in the sport’s playing styles, athlete demographics, and cultural significance, while maintaining its commitment to excellence and heritage.
The Road to Victory
The Wimbledon singles events, for both men and women, follow a knockout format where players compete in one-on-one matches. Players progress through multiple rounds, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. The champion is the player who emerges victorious in the final match.
Wimbledon offers millions in prize money, with equal pay for men and women since 2007. This evolution mirrors broader trends in professional tennis, with sponsorships, endorsements, and TV deals driving up the financial stakes for players.
How Has the Prize Evolved? (1968–2024)
The Changing Face of Tennis
$2,500 in 1968 to $3,400,000 today
Which Country Dominates Wimbledon?
(1877–2024)
Men’s Singles
Women’s Singles
16.9% diversity increase in champions since the 1970s.
Wimbledon, once dominated by white men, has become more diverse over time. Althea Gibson’s 1957 win marked a key moment for diversification. In 1904, May Sutton became the first non-British winner, and in 2013, Andy Murray ended a 77year British men’s title drought. These milestones reflect tennis’s global appeal, with champions from new regions making history. Today, Wimbledon continues to showcase a broader range of talent from different backgrounds.
How Have Playing Styles Evolved?
Player’s Positioning:
65% at the net
Before the 2000s, players spent 60-70% of their time near the net, relying heavily on their reflexes, volleying skills, and strategic positioning. Points typically lasted only 3–5 shots, with an emphasis on quick changes that tested the player’s agility.
85% at baseline
Today, players spend 80-90% of their time at the baseline, relying on powerful groundstrokes to dictate play from the back of the court. Points now average 6–8 shots in length, with longer rallies becoming common to wear down their opponents.
Record Serving Speeds:
100 mph serve is as fast as a pro baseball pitch.
Wimbledon’s Key Moments
1877
Evolution of the Racquet
Tennis rackets have evolved greatly, reflecting advances in technology and the sport’s demands. 19th-century wooden rackets had small, oval heads with limited power and control. In the 1970s, steel and aluminum frames improved strength and reduced weight. Today’s rackets use advanced materials and designs, providing more control, power, and spin.
Before the 1970s, a 100 mph serve was the pinnacle of power in tennis, matching the speed of a modern-day Major League Baseball pitch. At that velocity, a ball crosses the tennis court in less than half a second. With the limited racket technology and equipment of the time, players relied more on pure technique, timing, and physical strength to generate speed.
1. Wooden Era
148 mph serve today is over 5x faster than Usain Bolt.
1957
1884
A serve of 148 mph is Wimbledon’s all-time record serving speed, served by Taylor Dent in 2010. So to put into perspective, 148 mph is over 5x faster than Usain Bolt’s peak speed of 27.8 mph. It’s a velocity so extreme that even the sharpest reflexes struggle to react in time.
1968
The
The wooden era of tennis racquets, characterized by solid wood construction, featured compact heads (65–85 sq in) and a heavier weight of 400–450 grams. Strung with natural gut, these racquets required exceptional precision and skill, defining the sport’s early days with a focus on technique and finesse.
2. Me�al Era
2007
The introduction of steel and aluminum racquets in the metal era brought lighter frames (285–340 grams) and slightly larger heads (85–95 sq in), making them easier to swing. This innovation allowed players to generate more power and reach, transforming the pace of the game.
3. Modern Era
The modern era revolutionized tennis with graphite and composite racquets, offering durability and improved control. With larger heads (95–100 sq in) and lighter frames (255–340 grams), these racquets enhanced precision and power, catering to the demands of today’s dynamic playing styles.
2013
Althea Gibson becomes the first Black player to win a Wimbledon singles title.
Wimbledon announces equal prize money, with Venus Williams becoming the first woman to benefit from this change.
Wimbledon holds its first men’s singles event, with Spencer Gore as the winner.
The first women’s singles event is introduced, and Maud Watson becomes the inaugural champion.
Andy Murray becomes the first British man to win since 1936, ending a 77-year drought.
Open Era begins, which allowed professionals to compete, with Rod Laver and Billie Jean King winning the singles titles.
Roger Federer Billie Jean King Stories of Wimbledon’s Greatest
• Wins from 2003–2017
• Eight singles titles (record)
• 11 titles across all events
• $13 mil in prize money
• Nike, Wilson & Uniqlo
• Best Stroke: Forehand
• Wins from 1966–1975
• Six singles titles
From Ball Boy to Tennis Legend
• 20 titles across all events
• $280k in prize money
• Adidas & Wilson
Roger Federer’s remarkable journey began long before he lifted his first Wimbledon trophy. His love for tennis was sparked as a ball boy at his local Swiss tournaments, where he watched the game up close and developed a deep passion for the sport.
Federer’s record eight Wimbledon titles, graceful playing style, and unwavering dedication to the sport have made him a symbol of excellence at the tournament. His journey from ball boy to champion highlights not only his skill but also his profound connection to the sport, inspiring future generations of players and securing his legacy as a Wimbledon icon.
• Best Stroke: Serve-and-Volley
1957–1958
Althea Gibson
Gibson was the first Black player to win Wimbledon, breaking racial barriers in tennis and paving the way for greater diversity in the sport.
1966–1975
Billie Jean King
A trailblazing tennis icon, King has won six Wimbledon titles and is renowned for her advocacy for gender equality in sports.
A Pioneer on and off the Court
Born in 1943 in Long Beach, California, Billie Jean King rose from humble beginnings to become a tennis legend, winning six Wimbledon singles titles and 20 titles overall, a record she shares with Martina Navratilova. Known for her aggressive serve-and-volley style, King dominated on the grass courts.
Beyond her athletic achievements, she championed gender equality by founding the WTA and advocating for equal prize money, a milestone Wimbledon achieved in 2007. Her victory in the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” made her a global symbol of progress and empowerment, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport’s most influential figures.
1976–1980
Björn Borg
Known for his baseline play, Borg’s five consecutive Wimbledon titles showcased a level of dominance rarely seen before on grass courts.
1978–1990
Martina Navratilova
Holding the all-time record for nine Wimbledon titles, her achievements symbols for adaptability, as she was a top player for over two decades.
