After receiving our copy of “A Guide to the Championships for Ticket Holders” we checked it for pertinent information. What time would the grounds open? What would we be allowed to bring in? What would be the best way to reach the All England Lawn Tennis Club from Richmond?
We found the answers to these questions and more within the booklet’s cover. Gates opened at 10:30am, and the event we had tickets for began at 2pm. That meant we could leisurely explore the venue before being seated. With a one bag per person security policy, my go-to carrier was my Longchamp Le Pilage drawstring nylon bag roomy enough for the essentials. It was the year before the retractable roof was installed, so I took along a small umbrella, a lightweight sweater, sunscreen, ID, sunglasses, and cash. Robert brought his camera and binoculars in his zip top bag. To get there we had two choices: tube it to Southfields, then walk 15 minutes down Wimbledon Park Road. Or take a Southwest train to Wimbledon, then shuttle to the grounds. Both treks would take about an hour, but we opted for the train, knowing it’d offer a little more breathing room, especially given the heat and humidity of London summers. Prepared for rain or shine, we set out on that cloudy Saturday morning, the temperature 19° Celsius, about 68° Fahrenheit.
It’s one thing to watch a sporting event being broadcast from an arena and a completely different experience being there. I uttered my first “Wow!” after entering the gate and finding ourselves among the sheer number of people attending Wimbledon. Crowds were queued and gathered at the cafes, restaurants, food courts, buffets, and terraces noshing on pizza, sandwiches, pastries, fish and chips, and ice cream. Champagne, Pimms, tea, and coffee flowed from bottles, pitchers, and urns at the Long and Village Bars and several spots in between. Wandering further in, we saw many visitors spreading out and relaxing on the green grassy banks of the Aorangi Terrace, known as “Henman Hill” now referred to as “Murray Mound,” where a huge television screen hung on the side of No. 1 Court so folks without “show court” tickets could watch live matches. Looking around at the iconic ivy-covered buildings, it hit me, we were really there!
Coming up on Tea Lawn, we saw the red containers and just had to sample the strawberries and cream. Such simplicity! Such sweetness! Just the ripest juiciest berries swimming in thick cream. Delish! After wandering a bit more we headed to Centre Court. We were two of the 14, 979 people that would pack the seats in no time. Way up high in the stands, overlooking the entire stadium before us, the scene was totally A-MAZ-ING! A mere speck when viewed from our couch at home, we were now one of them. Deciding to get some photos, we made our way down the rows for a closer view.
Wimbledon 2008
You know when you see TV personalities and movie stars on screens so many times that when you see them in person you feel like you know them? I had a moment like that and almost called over, “You who! Hey John! Hey Tracy! You, too Sue!” when we spotted American tennis legends, now commentators John McEnroe and Tracy Austin, and British lead presenter, Sue Barker preparing to go before the cameras. Robert snapped a few pics of them, as well as the player board with none other than Serena and Venus Williams faces on it! How crazy lucky were we?! First to get tickets, then get tickets to a final match between two world-famous athletes, American, and sisters no less…and watch them vie for the title of Ladies’ Singles Champion!
After the first thwack of a ball, a hush prevailed. How was that even possible sitting with almost 15,000 people? Just the whoosh of a racket, the bounce of a ball, then smack, back and forth, over and over. Polite applause after each point, and sometimes rapid clapping as an In or Out decision was made during a reply shown on the jumbotron. And always the steady voice of the Chair Umpire stating the score. Nearing the end of the first and second sets, tension built on and off the court. That’s when shouts and cheers from spectators reached a crescendo! And finally, the wild uproar when match point was played and won, revealing the championship winner!
Following the trophy presentation, we headed home with Christy towels purchased at the Wimbledon shops, unbelievable memories, and a sense of pride witnessing a historic moment in time, especially given the Williams sisters are such hard-working incredibly talented competitors, as well as positive role models, and from our home country, too!
From my journal: Sunday, July 6, 2008, E. Twickenham, England
“Venus beat Serena at Wimbledon yesterday…fierce players! Did see Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova in the Royal Box…surreal!”
How wonderful it was to come together that day, being among people from various corners of the earth, at a world-class sporting event, where for a few hours all of us could focus on Centre Court united in civility, respect, and awe…while the athletes took us along, in their pursuit of greatness.
A Journal Journey 