10 Interesting Facts About Wimbledon Championship You Need to Know

Wimbledon is the world's most prestigious and oldest tennis tournament, first held in 1877. It is well known for its fascinating history and peculiar customs in addition to its thrilling matches. For Ladies and Gentlemen (Open Era), Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer have won the most singles titles. In 2010, John Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut in the longest match in Wimbledon history. The contest lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days, with Isner winning the final set 70-68. Being the only Grand Slam event held on grass, it presents a special challenge. Dive into these 10 interesting facts that highlight why Wimbledon remains a truly unparalleled event in the sporting calendar. 

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Interesting Facts About Wimbledon Championships

Find out the interesting details about the Wimbledon Championships. Get to know its deep historical roots to its iconic traditions, and record-breaking moments from the table below:

Source: Wimbledon

1. John Isner Has the Record for the Most Aces

When it comes to powerful serves, Wimbledon has seen some impressive records. Players hit a lot of powerful serves! In 2018, John Isner hit a record 214 aces in the Gentlemen's tournament, while Serena Williams hit 102 in 2012 for the Ladies. In 2024, Elena Rybakina led the Ladies with 39, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perrica led the Gentlemen with 115, as per Wimbledon. 

2. Fastest Serves Recorded at 153 mph

Wimbledon is known for its lightning-fast serve speeds. On June 30, 2025, Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard set the current men's record with an incredible serve of 153 mph (246 km/h). This surpassed the previous record of 148 mph set by Taylor Dent in 2010. The renowned Venus Williams set the record for women at 129 mph (207.6 km/h).

3. Becoming a Ball Kid is Tougher Than You Think

Becoming a Wimbledon ball boy or girl is tough. Around 250 are chosen from about 1,000 applicants, and they all go through very strict training to be ready for the courts.

4. Wimbledon Holds the Oldest Ball Partnership

Slazenger has been the official supplier of tennis balls to Wimbledon since 1902. That's one of the longest sports equipment partnerships in history. They use about 55,000 yellow balls during the tournament, with fresh ones brought out regularly.

5. Global Audiences Tune in to Watch Wimbledon 

Wimbledon is a truly global event. In 2024, the Championships were shown live in more than 200 countries worldwide. Millions watched the finals, with the BBC streaming over 50 million times in the UK alone.

6. Wimbledon Grounds Has a Massive Spectators Capacity

The Wimbledon grounds can hold up to 42,000 spectators at any one time. They even resell used tickets for charity, allowing more people to experience the action and raise money for good causes.

7. Strict All-White Dress Code

Since 1963, players have had to wear mostly white clothing as per Wimbledon. This rule was made even stricter in 1995 to mean "almost entirely white," to make the sweat stains invisible. Though in 2023, a change allowed female players to wear dark undershorts.

8. The Longest Match Ever Played

In an 11-hour, 5-minute match in 2010, John Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut. Just the last set lasted more than eight hours and involved 123 tennis balls! This resulted in the longest match in Wimbledon history.

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9. Essential Part of Royal Family Tradition

The Royal Box has 80 special dark green chairs. Members of the Royal Family, including Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Princess of Wales, often attend, continuing a long-standing tradition of royal patronage.

10. The Only Grand Slam Played on Grass Roots

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam played on grass courts. The grass is kept at a precise 8 mm height and is 100% rye grass. This surface makes the game faster, and the ball bounces lower, creating a unique challenge for players.

Conclusion

Wimbledon's rich history and commitment to tradition are highlighted by these intriguing facts. Together, these elements make Wimbledon a truly unique and timeless highlight of the global sports calendar.