Wimbledon Championships 2008

The 23rd of June to the 6th of July 2008 will see the2012 the show courts are set to be used during the
return of the most prestigious tournament in Tennis;2012 London Olympics.
Wimbledon. The oldest tennis tournament in the worldOne aspect that sets the tournament aside from the
runs for two weeks every year at the All Englandothers is that there is a strict dress code employed by
Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, UK. Thethe club. The traditional colours of Wimbledon are dark
competition was first played in 1877 and was initiallygreen and mauve. Recently the clothing worn by
just for men. The competition has since developed toofficials, ball boys and ball girls have been designed by
include ladies singles, men's doubles, ladies doubles andRalph Lauren and are navy blue and cream. The
mixed doubles. It has also moved from its originalplayers are required to wear white clothing during
location in Walpole London to a large venue thatmatches. In 1990 Andre Agassi used this strict dress
contains 19 courts.code as an excuse not to play in the tournament.
All of the venues 19 courts are seeded with rye grassThe winner of the Gentlemen's singles title receives a
which provides speed and a low level of bounce. As acash prize of 700,000 pounds as does the Ladies
result the championship has long been a favourite ofsingles winner. The men also receive a 18.5 inch high
serve and volley players. The venue contains the twosilver gilt cup which bears an inscription that includes
largest spectator capacity courts in England; Courtthe words 'single handed champion of the world'.
Number One and Centre Court. Centre Court holdsConversely the women's champion receives a silver
14,000 whilst plans have been made to extend theplate known as the 'Venus Rosewater Dish'. The
capacity of court number one from 3,000 to 4,000 inwinners are typically presented with their trophy by
2009. These two courts are reserved for use for theThe Duke of Kent who is the president of the All
two weeks of the tournament with the further 17England Club.
accommodating games from the general season. In