With Wimbledon only a week away, I thought it would be fun to dig into the very thing that defines the world’s greatest tennis tournament: tradition. Widely recognised as the Masters of the tennis world, Wimbledon is a nostalgic throwback to a bygone era of tennis decorum.
From apparel to desserts, tradition is interwoven into every facet of the tournament. So here is my list of the top six traditions of these iconic championships.
6. Rufus the Hawk
Hawk-eye technology will not be the only entity with a bird’s eye view of the action this year. The Wimbledon brain’s trust has used specially trained hawks to patrol the tournament since around 1999 (making this one of the more recent traditions on this list). American Harris’s hawk Rufus is by far the most famous of the skulking birds of prey, travelling to the tournament almost every day to act as a non-lethal deterrent to any brave pigeons (wouldn’t want Leonardo DiCaprio to get pooed on). In 2012, Rufus was the subject of a nationwide ‘bird-hunt’ after being nabbed from the back of his owner’s car. Luckily, he was found on Wimbledon commons just three days later, with a slightly sore leg the only evidence of his abduction.
5. The Queue
Wimbledon remains one of the last marquee sporting events that offers same-day tickets to the public. The insane demand means that hopeful punters will often camp overnight like they were waiting for the latest Harry Potter novel. The queueing process has its own strict etiquette system to maintain a certain level of decorum. It’s a fantastic initiative that makes fans feel like they are a part of the entire Wimbledon experience.
4. Henman Hill/Murray Mound
Henman Hill and Murray Mound are colloquial names for the Aorangi Terrace, a grassy bank where fans without tickets often flock to enjoy the action (it is projected on a giant big screen). Like the Queue, this initiative creates a sense of community and makes the tournament feel like a living entity. The area was a symbol of perpetual despair during its Henman Hill days, as British tennis fanatics endured years of the Englishman’s near-misses. Andy Murray’s Wimbledon success changed the narrative, forcing some to relabel it Murray Mound out of respect to their new champ. What will be known as next? Draper Dune, perhaps.
3. The Royal Box
Wimbledon wouldn’t be a celebration of British traditionalism without a bit of royalty, would it? There has been a royal presence at Wimbledon for well over a century, with members of the Royal Family- or other esteemed dignitaries- often congregating in the coveted 74-seat Royal Bob. In the past, players would bow or curtsy to members of the Royal Family upon entering or leaving Centre-Court. That rule was scaled back in 2003, when the Duke of Kent abolished the universal requirement for players to bow or curtsy any members of the Royal family. Now, only the reigning monarch and Prince of Wales receive such treatment. It’s a fascinating example of the way the organizers have tried to bring the tournament into the modern age without fully abandoning the heritage that underpins it.
2. All-white Clothing
One of the most enduring traditions of SW19 is the strict all-white dress code. A byproduct of Victorian sensibilities, all-white clothing was required to mask unseemly sweat stains. It’s almost like they don’t want people to know that players are exerting themselves out there. The strict clothing standards have been the source of various scandals in the past. American Gertrude ‘Gussy’ Moran caused a massive uproar in 1949 after wearing ruffled, lace-trimmed knickers under her skirt (how risqué). But the most iconic example of Wimbledon rebellion came in the form of American firebrand Andre Agassi, who famously skipped the event from 1988 to 1990 because of Wimbledon’s draconian stance on clothing. But Wimbledon’s allure was too much to resist, as Agassi returned from self-imposed exile in 1991 before winning his lone title in 1992 (bedecked in white).
1. Strawberries and Cream
But by far the most iconic exemplar of all things Wimbledon is a simple dessert: strawberries and cream. When Wimbledon was established in 1877, fresh berries and heavy cream were the in-vogue dessert of British high society. The tournament’s timing perfectly aligns with the high season of British strawberries. Consisting of at least 10 Grade 1 British strawberries and covered in cream, this refreshing treat is impossible to disentangle from Wimbledon. It was also historically capped at £2.50 from 2010-2024 (it felt like the tournament was trying to broaden its reach and offset any accusations of elitism). It has since increased to about £2.85 per portion (inflation is a killer).
