The first day of Wimbledon has got off to a sunny start with thousands of tennis fans enjoying strawberries and cream and glasses of Pimm’s in the warm summer weather.
Some 45,000 guests will descend on the extensive grounds in south-west London on Monday, with around half a million expected to attend tournament over its two weeks.
Attendees in summer dresses and designer polo shirts relaxed in grassy areas and joined long queues for Wimbledon’s many tennis courts and bars.
Hundreds could be spotted enjoying picnics on Murray Mound to the sound of popping champagne corks and cheers from nearby courts.
With temperatures nearing the mid-20s, guests fanned themselves and sought shade, while others sunbathed on blankets – enjoying more comfortable temperatures after last week’s record-breaking heatwave.
Optometrist Shivani Khanna travelled from Leicester to attend the tournament for the fourth time.
Ms Khanna, 29, was among the many disappointed by the news Emma Raducanu had been forced to drop out of the grand slam due to injury.
The British number one pulled out of Wimbledon on Sunday evening, after a scan showed a leg injury she had been trying to overcome had become a stress fracture.
“I feel for her,” Ms Khanna said.
She will instead be looking out for champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, who will both take to Centre Court on Monday.
Ms Khanna pointed to the “buzz” of Wimbledon as what draws her back to the grand slam year after year.
She said: “I did it (attended the first day) last year and really liked it.
“I don’t know whether it’s more busy than other days, but it’s just nice to have the first games, see more people, have all the little games around as well, and you can see some of the others that aren’t the Sinners and the Djokovics, as well.”
Emily and Joe Williams, from Barnes, south-west London, were celebrating their wedding anniversary with a bottle of champagne on Murray Mound.
Solicitor Mrs Williams, 42, said she enjoyed the British summertime tradition of attending Wimbledon, adding: “It’s just a lovely summer occasion on the social calendar. We live so locally, as well.”
She said: “It’s really hot, it’s really busy. It’s always so buzzing but it’s also just calm, it’s just such a nice crowd – especially on the first day as well, everything’s going on.”
Asked whether she and her husband will indulge in Wimbledon’s classic snack of strawberries and cream while celebrating their anniversary, Mrs Williams said: “One hundred per cent. We brought our own booze, but we’ll indulge in all of those things.”
