The grass is green, the strawberries are ripe, and the world’s greatest tennis players are descending upon the All England Club. That’s right, Wimbledon 2024 is here! From July 1st to July 14th, we’ll witness two weeks of exciting tennis matches, unexpected upsets, and perhaps even some British glory.
You may be a die-hard fan or a casual observer — in any case, this guide will get you up to speed on everything you need to know about this year’s Championships.
What You Need to Know
Dates and Venue
Wimbledon 2024 kicks off on Monday, July 1st and concludes with the men’s singles final on Sunday, July 14th. As always, the tournament takes place at the iconic All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London.
How to Watch
For UK viewers, the BBC remains your go-to source for all things Wimbledon. The entire tournament will be broadcast across BBC One and BBC Two, with live streaming available on BBC iPlayer.
Important Dates
Mark your calendars for these key matches!
THURSDAY, JULY 11TH
- Mixed Doubles Final
SATURDAY, JULY 13TH
- Women’s Singles Final
- Men’s Doubles Final
- Women’s Wheelchair Singles Final
- Men’s & Quad Wheelchair Doubles Final
- Girls’ Singles Final (18&U)
- Girls’ Doubles Final (18&U)
- Boys’ Doubles Final (18&U)
SUNDAY, JULY 14TH
- Men’s Singles Final
- Women’s Doubles Final
- Men’s & Quad Wheelchair Singles Finals
- Women’s Wheelchair Doubles Final
- Boys’ Singles Final (18&U)
- Boys’ & Girls’ Singles Finals (14&U)
Highlights From The Last Edition
The 2023 Championships provided tennis fans with unforgettable moments. In the men’s singles, we saw a changing of the guard as Carlos Alcaraz claimed his first Wimbledon title. The young Spaniard’s victory over Novak Djokovic in the five-set final signalled a shift in the men’s game.
On the women’s side, Markéta Vondroušová marked her name in the history books by becoming the first unseeded player to win the women’s singles title.
British fans had reason to cheer as well, with Liam Broady reaching the third round, matching his best-ever Grand Slam performance. His run, along with strong showings from other British players, kept home hopes alive.
Top Players to Watch
Men’s Singles
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz enters the tournament as one of the favourites, looking to add to his growing collection of Grand Slam titles.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will be eager to prove his mettle on the grass courts of Wimbledon. His powerful groundstrokes and recent dominance on the tour make him a serious contender for the title.
However, one can never discount Novak Djokovic. Despite no longer holding the top ranking, he recently stated he recovered very well from his knee surgery. The Serbian’s hunger for more Grand Slam titles seems as strong as ever.
Other contenders include Alexander Zverev, who’s been showing strong form, and Daniil Medvedev, always dangerous in major tournaments. The unpredictable nature of grass court tennis means we could also see surprises from skilled players like Hubert Hurkacz.
Women’s Singles
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will be looking to improve her grass court record and add a Wimbledon title to her impressive Grand Slam collection.
American star Coco Gauff has been making waves on the tour. With her speed and improving all-court game, she could make a deep run at this year’s Championships. Aryna Sabalenka, with her powerful game that translates well to grass, also enters as one of the favourites. She’ll be eager to build on her recent Grand Slam success.
Don’t forget about Elena Rybakina, whose big serve and composed play are perfectly suited for grass. And of course, there’s defending champion Markéta Vondroušová, who proved last year that surprises are always possible at Wimbledon.
Rising stars like Jasmine Paolini and Qinwen Zheng could make their mark, while experienced players like Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari, and Ons Jabeur are always dangerous on their day.
British Hopes at Wimbledon 2024
As always, British fans will be eagerly watching their home-grown talents at the All England Club. While recent years haven’t seen a British singles champion since Andy Murray in 2016, there’s always hope this could be the year for a homegrown triumph.
Jack Draper enters Wimbledon 2024 as the British No.1 in the Men Ranking, fresh off his first ATP title win on grass at the Boss Open. The young left-hander’s powerful game and growing confidence make him an exciting prospect on the lawns of SW19.
Credit: Wimbledon Official Facebook Page
And of course, there’s two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. While no longer at the peak of his powers, Murray’s experience and fighting spirit make him a dangerous floater in the draw. Could there be one last hurrah for the British legend?
On the women’s side, Katie Boulter leads the British contingent. Currently No. 29 in the WTA ranking and with strong performances on grass, Boulter could be poised for a breakthrough at her home Slam.
All eyes will also be on Emma Raducanu as she makes her comeback at Wimbledon. While expectations should be tempered given her recent injuries, Raducanu’s talent is undeniable, and the home crowd will surely be behind her.
Wimbledon: Some History
Wimbledon is one of the four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments in tennis, alongside the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. As the oldest — and widely considered the most prestigious of the Grand Slams — Wimbledon holds a special place in the tennis world.
Since its beginning in 1877, the Championships have been the main event of the tennis calendar. What began as a modest gentlemen’s singles tournament with just 22 players has grown into a global event with a following of millions each year. The ladies’ singles was introduced in 1884, making Wimbledon a more complete tennis championship.
The Open Era, beginning in 1968, marked a significant shift as the tournament opened its doors to both amateur and professional players. Other innovations followed, including the introduction of tie-breaks, hawk-eye technology, and in 2009, a retractable roof on Centre Court.
Thanks to Wimbledon, we witnessed what are, without a doubt, some of tennis’ greatest moments. After all, how could one ever forget Björn Borg’s five consecutive titles in the late 1970s, the epic Federer-Nadal final in 2008, or Serena Williams’ dominance in the 2000s and 2010s?
READ MORE: Wimbledon – History, Results, and Format of the Tennis Tournament
The Wimbledon Experience: Fun Facts and Traditions
Wimbledon is quite unique compared to the other Grand Slams. It’s the only major still played on grass courts, preserving a connection to tennis’s roots.
No Wimbledon experience is complete without this iconic treat: strawberries and cream. Every year, fans consume over 38 tons of strawberries, always served with a generous dollop of cream. It’s a tradition dating back to the tournament’s early days, in 1877.
While other tournaments have relaxed their clothing rules, Wimbledon maintains its all-white dress code for players. This tradition, which began in the 1880s, was introduced as white clothes work better to hide sweat stains.
Wimbledon is one of the few major sporting events where you can still queue for tickets on the day. The Queue is an experience in itself, with fans camping overnight for a chance to get grounds passes or show court tickets.
The Royal Box on Centre Court is a reminder of Wimbledon’s prestigious status. Members of the British Royal Family — including the Prince and Princess of Wales — and their guests, are often seen enjoying matches from this exclusive seating area.
Wimbledon 2024 Prize Money
While the prestige of winning Wimbledon is priceless, the monetary rewards are certainly nothing to scoff at. This year, Wimbledon continues its tradition of offering substantial prize money to competitors. Here’s a breakdown of what’s at stake:
- The total prize pool for Wimbledon 2024 stands at a record £50 million.
- Singles champions (both men’s and women’s) will take home £2.7 million each.
- Runners-up in the singles competitions will receive £1.4 million.
- Even first-round losses in singles will be cushioned with a £60,000 payout.
- The doubles champions will share a prize of £650,000 per team.
- The wheelchair and quad wheelchair events will see £1 million in total prize money.
Prize money is equal for men and women across all events, a practice Wimbledon has maintained since 2007. Worth mentioning — we can thank tennis legend Venus Williams and the Women’s Tennis Association for their tireless advocacy to make this happen.
With such significant rewards on offer, the stakes are high. Every point could be worth thousands of pounds, adding an extra layer of tension to what is already one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis.
Wimbledon 2024: Who’s Gonna Win?
If you’re looking to bet on Wimbledon events, you can check out our betting pages here: