It may rain, umbrellas are as much a feature of English summer as striped jackets and strawberries and cream, but a comeback Wimbledon Whatever the weather, tennis will put a spring in the footsteps of fans.
South-west London’s immaculate grasslands went unchecked last year as one of the highlights of the sporting calendar was canceled for the first time in three quarters of a century, another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It may not be ‘usual service’ right now, with more emphasis on social distancing than social distancing, but the sport is starting to resume at least next week with thousands of spectators eager to attend.
“When Wimbledon was canceled last year, he was a shot at our game. A terrible time,” remarked three-time Wimbledon winner and ESPN analyst John McEnroe. “So it’s unbelievable to take it back.”
The tournament is a government-approved ‘pilot event’ with a minimum of 50% capacity, which increases to a full 15,000 attendance for the men’s and women’s singles finals on center court.
Ticket holders will still have to show proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test or proof of complete recovery from the virus, and wear a facemask when walking around the field, but not while sitting.
Organizers warned that some distance would be needed, especially in the management of any queues.
The most famous queue of all – for day returns and tickets – has left the park and gone virtual, much in the past year, with sales via mobile apps and initially only for UK residents.
The mound ‘Heineman Hill’ outside Court One, where large numbers of fans usually congregate to watch the game on the big screen, will remain open but details about the numbers allowed are still sketchy.
Players are limited to a maximum of three people and even the biggest names must stay in approved hotels, rather than the usual option of renting private homes in upmarket neighborhoods. Those who normally stay in London also have to check-in at these so-called Wimbledon bubble hotels.
The reaction from top players is one of excitement for being out again in the only Grand Slam tournament that was not held last year.
“It’s going to be an incredible event… it’s our Augusta National how green it is, how much is in that tournament,” commented big-hit American John Isner. “Everyone will be eager to be back there.
Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, the 2019 women’s semifinalist, admitted that it was too much to be missed.
“I think the whole Wimbledon experience is something magical because we know the rules are pretty strict, and this year it’s going to be even more strict with all the protocols that we have to follow,” she said.
“But you’re just in white, you’re in such a great location, a landmark, so all the atmosphere created by the fans and the moment you step on the court, it’s all the experience I would say.”
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