Wimbledon completes 100 years of center court, tennis players reminisce

The center court at the current Church Road location of the All England Lawn Tennis and Crockett Club opened 100 years ago in 1922, and the centenary is being celebrated at Wimbledon on Sunday (July 3) – a special one in itself. The event, marked as the start of the game scheduled for mid-fortnight, is traditionally a day of rest in grass-court Grand Slam competitions.

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Next to the chair umpire’s stand are the symbols “Center Court” and “100”. A unique version of the usual popular tournament towel suitable for this occasion. A series of votes via Wimbledon.com lets fans choose their favorite moments from arena history.

The structure has been improved and refined over time, for example, with green seats with new pillows this year, and most famously, the installation of a retractable roof before the 2009 competition. Capacity has increased from 9,989 seats and 3,600 “permanent residents” to today’s 14,974 seats.

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What doesn’t seem to have changed is that players treat the place with respect. Seven-time Wimbledon champion Sampras expressed this sentiment when he won his last match by defeating Britain’s Martin Lee 6-3, 7-6 (1-3). ), 24 June 2002 6-3: “You get out of Center Court, it’s like Mecca from there. The US Open, the French Open, they’re great events, but Center Court in Wimbledon, something special happens when you get out. There. Today at home. Feeling we have ‘Run out of gas’ emotionally. “

Some people find this a little difficult. Some, of course, don’t get to play there. Some say they went inside to look around before the tournament started, just to see it.

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Here are some past and present players’ thoughts or memories about Center Court:

“For me, this was my first experience of seeing Princess Kate. She was sitting in the royal box and I couldn’t see her. She is so beautiful. And I also remember seeing Tom Cruise. It was all a little heavy. ” Carolina Pliskova Ash Barty of the Czech Republic was a runner-up in last year’s Wimbledon final.

“When I walk to the central court for the final, something happens that can explode at any moment. Of course, the crowd will explode. Think of all the former champions, ghosts and spirits you played in that middle. I only do this at Wimbledon. I don’t do that in any other Grand Slam. , Three-time Wimbledon champion Chris Everto,

“I think it’s probably a magical place. I don’t want to go there unless I’m playing on the court.” , Tommy Paul In the fourth round, the United States will face Britain’s Cam Norie in the No. 1 court on Sunday.

“I was like, wow.” I was 16. More than half of my life ago. I was impressed by the elegance. ” , mihaela bazarnescuThe 34-year-old Romanian, who went to center court while playing in the Wimbledon junior tournament, played there for the first time on Thursday.

“They know the game, so it’s an incredible silence, then it’s a big roar. I mean, it all happens in the stadium; there’s more. There’s no seating that’s bad.” , Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe Upon entering the arena.

“Walking to court is definitely the most annoying because you look at the circle of members. This is a very beautiful area. They have guards, whatever they are, I don’t know, they are standing in front of the Center Court, looking straight ahead. I didn’t expect that when I first went inside. I remember wow! You want to draw a picture of it. Clearly, you can’t. “, Coco GuffWho played and won his first match in 2019 at the age of 15.

(AP)