Wimbledon

The Championships Wimbledon, most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, is the oldest of the Grand Slams. Held by The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon is played on the grass surface. Grass is the fastest among all outdoor courts and suits the players who have serve-and-volley game and are capable of playing flatter shots.

Brief Profile
The Wimbledon tournament was first played in 1877. Only male players took part in it. Women's participation began in 1884. Located in London, Wimbledon has the grass court surface. The tournament begins late June and finishes early July. As for the sizes of draws, Men's and Women's Singles are 128, Men's and Women's Doubles are 64, and mixed doubles are 48. All major matches are played at the centre court.

Wimbledon Tournaments
In the Wimbledon, separate tournaments are simultaneously held, all at the same venue, for Gentlemen's Singles, Ladies' Singles, Gentlemen's Doubles, Ladies' Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Tournaments for youth - Boys' Singles, Girls' Singles, Boys' Doubles and Girls' Doubles - are also held. Sspecial invitational tournaments are held like the 35 and over Gentlemen's Doubles, 45 and over Gentlemen's Doubles, 35 and over Ladies' Doubles and wheelchair doubles.

The Grand Slams
There are four major tennis tournaments, called the Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open. The wimbledon is considered by many as the most prestigious among these.

Wimbledon, the Place
Wimbledon is a suburb of London. For the past century, Wimbledon has been internationally known as the home of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Wimbledon's attraction remains its combination of easy access to central London with the benefit of plentiful recreational facilities. The newly reopened New Wimbledon Theatre on the Broadway is also popular throughout London, bringing a large number of West End productions. Wimbledon Village offers a good collection of bistros, restaurants and pubs and during the fortnight of the tennis championship the streets are crowded with visitors enjoying the facilities.

Wimbledon 2008
Wimbledon 2008 Championship will begin on 23rd June and conclude on 6th July. Like its previous editions, Wimbledon 2008 is also expected to generate lots of excitement and passion.