London is inseparably linked with the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, played every year on the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. It is the only Grand Slam that still preserves the tradition of grass, a strict dress code, and an atmosphere no other tournament can replicate.
Another unique feature—now a tradition in its own right—is the so‑called Queue. On match days, visitors begin gathering at dawn on the meadow next to the Wimbledon grounds. Some arrive the night before and camp in tents. At six o’clock sharp, the stewards wake them up and, together with the early arrivals, start forming orderly lines.
By eight o’clock, thousands of people are already on the field. Everyone receives clear instructions, and I even remember getting a blanket with the Wimbledon logo. People sit down on the grass and wait. There are food stalls and portable toilets available. The waiting time flies by, especially if you’re there with friends.
When the grounds open at 10:00 or 11:00, a several‑hundred‑metre queue begins to move towards the entrance. It goes fairly quickly. At the gate you pay around £25, which grants you access to the grounds and all courts except Centre Court and Court No. 1. The entire Wimbledon complex holds roughly 40,000 visitors, of which 7,000–9,000 come from the Queue.
Even without access to the two main courts, you can still watch matches on any of the remaining sixteen. From the grassy hill known as “The Hill,” you can also watch Court No. 1 on a giant screen.
The grounds are full of restaurants and snack kiosks. You can try the traditional Strawberries & Cream with a cup of Pimm’s. If you feel like splurging, champagne goes for around £100. As a proper Czech, I prefer beer (£8–9), which isn’t exactly cheap. Every time I tell myself I won’t overdo it with the beer, but over the course of a whole day, especially when it’s hot, it just disappears on its own.
The grounds also include a museum where you can see various artefacts and learn how the tournament has evolved over time. And you’ll find one of Britain’s most iconic statues there: the figure of the legendary Fred Perry (Wimbledon champion in 1934, 1935, and 1936) captured mid‑forehand by sculptor David Wynne.
Wimbledon is far more than just tennis. Above all, it’s about an atmosphere that can’t be transmitted through a TV screen or fully captured in words. It’s a blend of British tradition, summer ease, the murmur of the crowd, and a top‑level sporting experience. Whether you’re sitting on one of the outer courts, standing on the hill among thousands of other fans, or simply sipping beer and watching the world go by, Wimbledon draws you in. It’s a ritual, an experience, and a small summer celebration that’s worth experiencing at least once in your life.