Wimbledon

From Grass to Global Greatness

147 years of Wimbledon Champions 1988–1996

1993–2000

2002–2016

2003–2017

Steffi Graf

Pete Sampras

Serena Williams

Roger Federer

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.

Known for his serve-and-volley dominance, Sampras’ seven Wimbledon titles set the gold standard for grass-court tennis in the 1990s.

With seven Wimbledon titles, her influence transcends tennis, inspiring athletes worldwide and advocating for racial and gender equality.

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

How Has the Prize Evolved?

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.

(1968–2024)

The Changing Face of Tennis 111 Hispanic Champion

$3.0 M

White Champion Black Champion

$2.0 M

2021 Post Covid Pandemic

2007

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.

Prize Equality Introduced

$1.0 M

Women’s Men’s $2,500

1968

71

2024

$2,500 in 1968 to $3,400,000 today

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.

58

Which Country Dominates Wimbledon?

(1877–2024) Men’s Singles

Women’s Singles United Kingdom

37

United States

57

United States

+14.1%

33

13

United Kingdom

Australia

+2.8%

36

21

3

4

4

Switzerland

8

Sweden

137

7

Serbia

1870s-1910s

8

France

16.9% diversity increase

Titles

7

6

France

5

7 Spain

3

5

Germany

Europe: 53% America: 35% Oceania: 12%

Germany

130

Titles

2

4

Spain

1 Russia

New Zealand

4

2

Czech Republic

1

1

Croatia Netherlands

1

1 Switzerland 1 Kazakhstan

Romania

1920s-1970s

9

Brazil

Australia

Czech Republic

1980s–2020s

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?

Record Serving Speeds:

Player’s Positioning:

65% at the net

100 mph serve is as fast as

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.

New Style

Old Style

65%

85%

Wimbledon’s Key Moments 1877 Wimbledon holds its first men’s singles event, with Spencer Gore as the winner.

a pro baseball pitch.

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.

148 mph serve today is over 5x faster than Usain Bolt.

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.

1884 The first women’s singles event is introduced, and Maud Watson becomes the inaugural champion.

1957 Althea Gibson becomes the first Black player to win a Wimbledon singles title.

1968 The Open Era begins, which allowed professionals to

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.

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.

3

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 2

1877–1967

1968–1975

1976–Today

Billie Jean King winning the singles titles.

2007 Wimbledon announces equal prize money, with Venus Williams

2. Me�al Era

1

compete, with Rod Laver and

1. Wooden 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.

becoming the first woman to benefit from this change.

2013 Andy Murray becomes the first British man to win since 1936, ending a 77-year drought.

Stories of Wimbledon’s Greatest Roger Federer

Billie Jean King

•

Wins from 2003–2017

•

Wins from 1966–1975

•

Eight singles titles (record)

•

Six singles titles

•

11 titles across all events

•

20 titles across all events

•

$13 mil in prize money

•

$280k in prize money

•

Nike, Wilson & Uniqlo

•

Adidas & Wilson

•

Best Stroke: Forehand

•

Best Stroke: Serve-and-Volley

From Ball Boy to Tennis Legend

A Pioneer on and off the Court

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.

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.

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.

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.

1957–1958

1966–1975

1976–1980

1978–1990

Althea Gibson

Billie Jean King

Björn Borg

Martina Navratilova

Gibson was the first Black player to win Wimbledon, breaking racial barriers in tennis and paving the way for greater diversity in the sport.

A trailblazing tennis icon, King has won six Wimbledon titles and is renowned for her advocacy for gender equality in sports.

Known for his baseline play, Borg’s five consecutive Wimbledon titles showcased a level of dominance rarely seen before on grass courts.

Holding the all-time record for nine Wimbledon titles, her achievements symbols for adaptability, as she was a top player for over two decades.