Wimbledon has never been shy about doing things its own way. Some of its traditions date almost as far back as the tournament itself, nearly 150 years ago. Others are surprisingly recent. Together, they give Wimbledon a character that feels distinctly different from other major sporting events. Here are five of the traditions you are most likely to encounter, and the stories behind them.
1. Strawberries and Cream
If there is one food that instantly says Wimbledon, it is strawberries and cream. The pairing dates back to the tournament’s earliest days, and the reason is surprisingly simple: strawberries were in season when Wimbledon was played. Spectators were eating them at the tournament as far back as 1877, the year of the first Championships.
Today, Wimbledon goes through enormous quantities of them. In 2018, more than 38 tonnes of strawberries were served during The Championships. Traditionally grown in Kent, the strawberries are picked early in the morning and delivered to Wimbledon the same day, so they can be served fresh with cream to spectators at the grounds.
For many visitors, watching tennis on the grass with a bowl of strawberries and cream in hand has simply become part of the Wimbledon experience.
2. The Royal Box
Watch a Centre Court match and there is a good chance the television cameras will eventually turn toward the Royal Box.
Located in a prime position overlooking the court, the Royal Box has 74 seats reserved for members of the Royal Family and invited guests. Those guests can include prominent figures from tennis and other sports, government, entertainment, business and public life.
There is some etiquette attached to it too. For years, players traditionally bowed or curtsied toward the Royal Box when entering and leaving Centre Court. Wimbledon ended that general requirement in 2003. Today, players are asked to bow or curtsy only when the monarch or the Prince or Princess of Wales is present.
3. The Queue
Camping overnight for the chance to buy a tennis ticket might sound unusual. At Wimbledon, it has a name of its own: The Queue.
Wimbledon remains one of the few major sporting events where fans can line up to purchase a limited number of tickets on the day. The Queue forms in Wimbledon Park, and demand for popular days can bring people out the night before with tents and camping gear.
There is even a system for keeping everything orderly. Each person receives a numbered Queue Card marking their place in line. Over the years, what could have been a purely functional ticketing process has developed its own social atmosphere, with thousands of tennis fans gathering together before they ever enter the grounds.
For visitors who would rather know exactly where they are sitting before arriving in London, Debenture tickets provide reserved seating on Centre Court or No. 1 Court. Learn more about Debentures and premium seating in our Wimbledon Venue & Seating Guide.
4. Rufus The Hawk
Wimbledon has groundskeepers, security teams and, somewhat unusually, a hawk named Rufus.
Rufus works with a human handler and flies over the All England Club in the early morning before the crowds arrive, helping deter pigeons from settling around the grounds and grass courts. Rather than hunting the pigeons, his presence as a predator encourages them to move elsewhere.
He has been doing the job for years and has become a minor Wimbledon celebrity in the process. Rufus has appeared in Wimbledon features and merchandise, and his early-morning patrol is now one of the tournament’s more unexpected traditions.
5. The Lack of Courtside Advertising
For an event watched by millions of people around the world, Wimbledon can look surprisingly free of advertising.
There are official partners behind The Championships, but their branding does not dominate the courts and grounds in the way sponsorship often does at major sporting events. That is intentional. The All England Club has historically taken a restrained approach to commercial branding in an effort to protect the distinctive look and character of the tournament.
It is a subtle difference, but an important one. Centre Court is dominated by green grass, dark green surrounds and the players themselves rather than large advertising displays. Even as Wimbledon has grown into a global sporting event, its organizers have been selective about how commercial partnerships appear to spectators.
Experience the Traditions for Yourself
Part of the fun of attending Wimbledon is seeing how many of these traditions are still part of everyday life at The Championships. You can enjoy strawberries and cream between matches, spot familiar faces in the Royal Box, or simply take in a Centre Court that looks remarkably different from most major sporting venues.
Thinking about a trip to Wimbledon? Explore our Wimbledon travel packages and start planning your visit to The Championships.