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Event Information:
The
tournament takes place over two
weeks in late June and early July,
culminating with the Ladies' and
Gentlemen's Singles Final, scheduled
respectively for the second Saturday
and Sunday. Each year, five major
events are contested, as well as
four junior events and four
invitational events. The hard court
Australian Open and clay court
French Open precede Wimbledon in the
calendar year. The hard court US
Open follows. For men, the grass
court AEGON Championships, also in
London, as well as the Gerry Weber
Open in Halle, Germany, serve as
respective warm-up events. For
women, the AEGON Classic in
Birmingham and 2 joint events, the
UNICEF Open in 's-Hertogenbosch,
Netherlands and the AEGON
International Eastbourne serve as
warm-up events to Wimbledon.
Wimbledon traditions include a
strict dress code for competitors,
the eating of strawberries and
cream, and Royal patronage. The
tournament is also notable for the
absence of sponsor advertising
around the courts. In 2009,
Wimbledon's Centre Court was fitted
with a retractable roof to prevent
rain delaying and interrupting
Centre Court matches during the
tournament. The All England Lawn
Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC),
also known as the All-England Club,
based at Aorangi Park, Wimbledon,
London, England, is a private
members club. It is best known as
the venue for the Wimbledon
Championships, the only Grand Slam
tennis event still held on grass.
Initially an amateur event that
occupied club members and their
friends for a few days each summer,
the championships have become far
more prominent than the club itself.
However, it still operates as a
members tennis club, with many
courts in use all year round.
The
Club has 375 full members, about 100
temporary playing members, and a
number of honorary members,
including past Wimbledon singles
champions and people who have
rendered distinguished service to
the game. In order to become a full
or temporary member, an applicant
must obtain letters of support from
four existing full members, two of
whom must have known the applicant
for at least three years. The name
is then added to the Candidates'
List. Honorary Members are elected
from time to time by the club's
Committee. Membership carries with
it the right to purchase two tickets
for each day of the Wimbledon
Championships. The patron of the
club is Queen Elizabeth II, and the
President is H.R.H. The Duke of
Kent.
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