You can cheer up your fans with dreary skies.
Wimbledon is back after a year’s hiatus. The gray, overcast weather made Wimbledon feel right at home in an event known for its rain delays.
Hannah Scott, a 26 year-old Londoner mask-wearing graduate student, said that it was perfect spectator weather. She was one of the first to arrive on the grounds Monday morning. “You won’t burn in the sun.”
Wimbledon was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event will go ahead, but it will be smaller than usual. The organizers plan to have 15,000 people at Centre Court for the women’s and men’s finals within two weeks.
Many fans flooded through the gates Monday morning to see the usual floral-filled grounds. There were stands selling souvenirs, food, and drinks, and stewards helped the spectators navigate their way.
Weather played a part too, delaying play for approximately two hours.
Sally Bolton, chief executive of All England Club, stated that “one of the things we thought long and carefully about, worked hard for, is a familiar feeling about The Championships.” “So when people arrive at The Championships gates this morning as they are now, they will feel something very familiar. It’s a Championships we all have missed for the past two years.”
Arlo Godwin (10 years old) was enjoying Wimbledon’s wet weather and all that it had to offer during his first visit.
Godwin was accompanied by his mother. It didn’t happen last year, but I was hoping for it. But I did watch a lot Roland Garros.”
Godwin stated that Novak Djokovic was his favorite player. He was the first to take centre court in the traditional spot for the men’s champion. However, Godwin and his mother both have tickets for Court No. 2.
“We’re going to see (Andrey Rublev) and Dan Evans, which is great because he’s British. Godwin exclaimed, “And Venus Williams too,” with excitement in his voice.
Unfortunately, due to the rain, Evans and Williams’ matches were postponed for Tuesday just a few hours later.
Helen Godwin also visited Wimbledon after many unsuccessful attempts in recent years to get tickets online. Arlo was not even aware Monday was a school day when she finally obtained them.
Helen, a 48 year-old doctor who helped to establish a vaccine clinic during the pandemic, said that it was a “joke day off school”. This is a more educational day.
People often crowd the walkways surrounding the courts of the All England Club. The hill behind Court No. 1 is also packed. 1, where you can view matches on a large-screen TV — often known as Murray Mount or Henman Hill in the past. The atmosphere this year is much more relaxed, and there’s plenty of room for pedestrians to move between the courts.
Scott’s first stop was in the gift shop after she passed through the gates.
“I’m not supposed” to be here. Scott said that she got the ticket from her friend, but couldn’t go. She bought a Wimbledon towel for her friend as consolation and used tennis lingo to get in the mood. “Order of Play Change.”
