Questions often arise about attending Wimbledon: the cost of strawberries, the likelihood of rain, the potential performance of British players like Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu, and the noticeable absence of line judges.
This Q&A guide offers insights into the upcoming two weeks of grass-court tennis at the All England Club. Carlos Alcaraz aims for a third consecutive title, facing strong competition from World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.
This year marks a significant period for British tennis, with 22 UK players participating in the main singles draws – the highest number since 1988. Jack Draper is considered a serious title contender, while Emma Raducanu is showing her strongest form in years.
- Strawberry Prices
- Understanding `The Queue`
- Wimbledon Weather Forecast
- Absence of Line Judges
- Where to Watch the Matches Inside Wimbledon
- Jack Draper`s Prospects
- British Players in the Wimbledon Main Draw
- Can Emma Raducanu Clinch Another Grand Slam?
- Alcaraz vs Sinner: The Rivalry Continues?
- Is This Djokovic`s Last Opportunity?
- Status of Federer, Nadal, Murray, and Serena Williams
- Three Other Players to Watch
- Alexander Bublik
- Tatjana Maria
- Qinwen Zheng
Strawberry Prices
For the first time in 15 years, organizers are increasing the price of the famous Wimbledon strawberries and cream!
The All England Club had maintained the price at £2.50 per portion since 2010, but this will rise by 20p in 2025.
Selling approximately 140,000 punnets annually, this price increase is expected to generate an additional £28,000.
Understanding `The Queue`
The queue for same-day tickets begins in Wimbledon Park and leads towards the Gate 3 turnstiles where tickets are sold. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis, offering both Show Court and Grounds Pass tickets.
Key rules for The Queue include:
- No music or loud noise between 10 pm and 7 am.
- Leaving the queue for more than 30 minutes at a time may result in forfeiting your spot.
- Moderate alcohol consumption is advised.
- Selfie sticks are prohibited.
- Tent occupancy is limited to two people; larger tents are not allowed.
- Pizza deliveries should be ordered to and picked up only at the Wimbledon Park Road gate.
Wimbledon Weather Forecast
While weather is unpredictable, attendees should be prepared for potential rain, perhaps bringing raincoats and umbrellas.
Temperatures are expected to range from 26-32°C highs to 16-18°C lows. Rain is forecast for Tuesday and Sunday of the first week.
Absence of Line Judges
Visitors to this year`s Wimbledon will observe a major change on the courts.
For the first time, line judges, previously dressed in Ralph Lauren, will no longer be calling shots in or out. Video technology will now handle all line calls.
This decision has received mixed reactions. Some view it as progress, aligning Wimbledon with most tournaments, while others regret the loss of tradition and specific roles in the sport.
Crucially, this change should eliminate disputes between players and officials over line calls, which have created some memorable Wimbledon moments.
Where to Watch the Matches Inside Wimbledon
Head to Aorangi Terrace, popularly known as `Henman Hill.` It has also been nicknamed `Murray Mound,` and perhaps `Draper`s Drop` or `Raducanu Ridge` this year?
A multi-million pound upgrade, scheduled for completion by the 2027 championships, will increase the Hill`s capacity by 20 percent and improve accessibility for wheelchair users.
Jack Draper`s Prospects
It`s almost a decade since Andy Murray`s second singles title, and this year presents potentially the best opportunity for a British men`s champion since then.
Over the past year, Draper has transformed from a dangerous wildcard into a legitimate contender for major titles. He has won his first Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, reached another final in Madrid, and made the Queen`s semi-finals. With home support, a game suited to grass, and a top-four seed, his standing is at an all-time high.
British Players in the Wimbledon Main Draw
Men:
- Jack Draper
- Jacob Fearnley
- Cameron Norrie
- Billy Harris
- Dan Evans
- Henry Searle
- Jay Clarke
- Jack Pinnington Jones
- Johannus Monday
- George Loffhagen
- Oliver Crawford
- Arthur Fery
- Oliver Tarvet
Women:
- Emma Raducanu
- Katie Boulter
- Sonay Kartal
- Fran Jones
- Harriet Dart
- Jodie Burrage
- Heather Watson
- Mingge Xu
- Mike Stojsavljevic
- Hannah Klugman
Can Emma Raducanu Clinch Another Grand Slam?
Now holding the top British ranking again, Raducanu is displaying some of her best tennis since her surprising 2021 US Open victory, although her level has fluctuated due to injuries in recent years.
The 22-year-old is managing a back issue, but her informal coaching arrangement with Mark Petchey seems effective.
Alcaraz vs Sinner: The Rivalry Continues?
Who needs the `Big Four`? Alcaraz and Sinner delivered a memorable final at the French Open, where the Spaniard saved three match points before overcoming his rival in a final-set tie-break.
Sinner has not yet reached a Wimbledon final, but these two young players currently appear to be a cut above the rest in the men`s game, making a repeat final scenario quite possible.
Is This Djokovic`s Last Opportunity?
Djokovic turned 38 in May and is acutely aware that time is limited for him to secure a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
While he lost to Alcaraz in the last two Wimbledon finals, he was exceptionally close in 2023 and was recovering from knee surgery last year.
His extensive experience on grass gives him an edge over much of the field. He has performed strongly in both Grand Slams this year, reaching the semi-finals twice. Although Alcaraz and Sinner are definite favorites, Djokovic should not be discounted.
Status of Federer, Nadal, Murray, and Serena Williams
In short, no. Roger Federer surprised the world by retiring in September 2022 after winning 20 Grand Slam titles and 109 ATP Tour singles titles. The Swiss master won eight Wimbledon titles during his 25-year career.
In 2013, Murray ended Britain`s 77-year wait for a home men`s singles champion by defeating Djokovic in the final. He won his second Wimbledon title (and third Grand Slam overall) against Milos Raonic in the 2016 final. He retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics and briefly coached Djokovic for six months, concluding in May.
Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion with 14 French Open titles, retired in late 2024.
Serena Williams announced she was `evolving away` from tennis after the 2022 US Open. She won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at Wimbledon.
Three Other Players to Watch
Alexander Bublik
The maverick from Kazakhstan, who prefers a getaway to Las Vegas over a training block, defeated Draper at the French Open and overcame Sinner on his way to the Halle title last week. His game features pinpoint serving, powerful winners, and drop shots that land delicately. He is temperamental, wonderfully unpredictable, and highly entertaining to watch.
Tatjana Maria
The German mother of two emerged unexpectedly to win at Queen`s Club earlier this month. Maria had an incredible run through qualifying, using her slice game to defeat four top-20 players and become the oldest WTA 500 champion at 37. Could bringing back an 1980s-style game lead to ultimate Wimbledon success?
Qinwen Zheng
With a large Chinese fanbase, Olympic champion Zheng is likely one of the most recognizable female players globally. She has also gained a reputation for unconventional on-court actions, such as hitting winners during warm-ups or changing rackets and shoes during her opponent`s service games, as seen recently against Raducanu at Queen`s.