Employees prepare the famed courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club during the 1930s
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Towards the end of the 19th century, as a new sport called lawn tennis gained popularity, the All England Croquet Club was facing a decline in revenues. So, in 1875, the exclusive club converted one of its croquet lawns into a tennis court. Still financially strapped, in 1877 the renamed All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club devised a unique way to raise some much-needed cash - hold a tennis tournament and charge spectators to watch the final. Wimbledon was born.
The amateur event, which initially featured just a men's singles draw, immediately became Britain's national championship. Spencer Gore was its first champion, triumphing over a field of 22. Two years later a men's doubles event was added, followed by a ladies' singles title in 1884. By 1913, a women's doubles event and mixed doubles had been added. |
