The courts
The most notable change at this year’s championships brings it in line with the majority of ATP and WTA tournaments, along with two of the other three grand slam tournaments: the abandonment of line judges in favour of electronic line calling. The technology allowing challenges was first introduced in 2007, but will now be utilised to automatically call all outs, faults, and foot faults. Wimbledon say the system is almost failsafe, and that in the qualifying at Roehampton this year it broke just once for one point. For longer malfunctions, they have a team of reserve line judges on hand. They are among a team of 80 match assistants, with two on each court helping with tasks including escorting the players for toilet breaks. The traditional start time of 2pm for the women’s and men’s singles finals is also set to change, beginning at 4pm, after the day’s doubles finals as opposed to preceding them. This is also in line with other grand slams.
The players
The total prize money pot is rising 7% to £53.5m. The men’s and women’s singles champions will both receive £3m, up from last year’s £2.7m, an increase that makes winning at SW19 the most valuable of all four grand slams. Players who lose in the first round receive £66,000, an increase of 10%. The competitors may enjoy the changes to the players’ building, with an all-new restaurant and upgraded outdoor terrace. With only four previous winners in the draw on the women’s side, and just two in the men’s competition, there’s a high chance a new winner takes home the increased riches. There have been eight different women’s singles winners in the last eight Wimbledons.
The spectators
After 15 years at £2.50 the price of a Wimbledon staple, strawberries and cream, is rising to £2.70. Wimbledon’s (in)famous queuing system allowing fans to buy tickets and ground passes on the day now requires you to download the Wimbledon app and create an account. Should you wish to stay overnight in the queue, which starts at 2pm on Sunday, you will only be able to bring a two-person tent, and will be woken by 6am the next morning and told to put your camping equipment in left-luggage. According to Wimbledon, more than 1 million applicants were unsuccessful in the public ballot for tickets. The weather forecast is for strong sun, hitting 34 degrees on the opening day, Monday, in contrast to the washouts of last year. Away from the grass, another important development to keep an eye out for in the second week is the high court’s two-day judicial review into the Greater London Authority approval of Wimbledon’s redevelopment plans. The project is set to build 39 new tennis courts, allowing qualifying to take place on site.
TV
Clare Balding and Isa Guha will continue to lead the BBC’s coverage, with Jack Draper’s matches expected to feature prominently in peak teatime slots. The daily highlights show Today at Wimbledon has been shifted most days to 11pm or later in BBC2’s schedule. It will also be shown on the iPlayer at the more traditional time of 9pm in the first week and 8pm in the second week. The integration of Eurosport under the TNT Sports umbrella means that the latter will take over as the tournament’s secondary broadcaster, showing 90 minutes of highlights daily, and both singles finals live.
