Your guide to Wimbledon 2024 – and how to make sure you never miss a shot
All eyes are on south-west London next week for Wimbledon, the premier event in the tennis calendar.
This year, defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Markéta Vondroušová are preparing to battle it out at London's All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club from Monday, July 1, to Sunday, July 14.
Celebrated for its history, traditions and all-white dress code, the Championships are the oldest tennis tournament in the world as well as one of the most prestigious. Held each summer here in the UK, it is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, alongside the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open.
Who to watch – men’s singles
Novak Djokovic: the multiple-time Wimbledon champion, is known for his incredible consistency and defensive skills.
Style: baseline play, exceptional return game and mental fortitude.
Carlos Alcaraz: this rising star is already a Grand Slam champion with powerful baseline play and agility.
Style: aggressive baseline play, strong serve and excellent movement.
Daniil Medvedev: the Grand Slam winner has earned a reputation for his unique playing style and strategic mind.
Style: flat groundstrokes, strong serve and tactical play.
Stefanos Tsitsipas: don’t underestimate Tsitsipas, especially on a grass court; he consistently reaches the latter stages of major tournaments.
Style: all-court game, powerful serve and one-handed backhand.
Jannik Sinner: his star is on the rise, thanks to deep runs in recent major tournaments.
Style: forceful baseline play, powerful groundstrokes and solid serve.
Who to watch – women’s singles
Iga Świątek: she’s earned multiple Grand Slam titles and is known for her clay-court prowess, but is improving on grass.
Style: heavy topspin forehand, determined baseline play and strong mental game.
Aryna Sabalenka: the Grand Slam champion has performed consistently well in major tournaments.
Style: powerful serve and groundstrokes, aggressive play.
Coco Gauff: this young sensation is already a Grand Slam finalist.
Style: athleticism, strong baseline game and a powerful serve.
Elena Rybakina: the defending Wimbledon champion boasts a powerful game well suited for grass.
Style: big serve, aggressive groundstrokes and a calm demeanour.
Ons Jabeur: the Wimbledon finalist is known for her creative and versatile play.
Style: varied shots, strategic play and strong net game.
The history of Wimbledon
There’s more to Wimbledon than just a sporting event; it’s also a significant cultural event with its traditions, iconic moments and legendary champs cementing its place as THE tournament to watch.
When the first Wimbledon Championship took place in 1877, it only featured the Gentlemen's Singles event. Organised to raise money for the club, 22 players participated, and Spencer Gore took home the inaugural trophy.
In recent years, there has been the notable addition of a retractable roof in 2009 at Centre Court to ensure play can continue during rain; in 2019, another was added to No. 1 Court. Hawk-Eye technology has also revolutionised line calls, while improvements in broadcast quality have enhanced the viewing experience for a global audience.
Want to watch for yourself?
If you’re prepared to join The Queue and camp overnight to secure your courtside spot, good for you! Centre Court has a capacity of almost 15,000 while No.1 Court can hold 12,345 and on-the-day tickets are available, provided you’re happy to camp overnight (the other option is to join the public ballot which opens the preceding year).
If you are attending, dress comfortably, stay hydrated and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Prefer to watch from the comfort of your own home, a bowl of strawberries at hand? The BBC will broadcast the Championships daily via BBC One and BBC Two and can be accessed on-demand via the streaming platform, BBC iPlayer; the BBC Sport website will be home to live in-play clips, highlights and a new selection of quirky moments.
You could even take your viewing party into the garden, thanks to the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro 1002Wh/1000W power station.
Compact and lightweight, it’s easy to carry around and its solar panel compatibility means that you can even recharge it on the go using Jackery’s SolarSaga panels.
Don’t forget to make a date in your diary for the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, played on hard courts in New York City from August 26 – September 8.
More about Jackery
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