The third Grand Slam of the year, Wimbledon, will be staged from June 20 to July 3. The current year’s event is the 125th edition of the world’s leading tennis tournaments since it first started in 1877. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is responsible for staging the World’s leading tennis tournament. Wimbledon, is a private Club, founded in 1868, originally as ‘The All England Croquet Club’. The only event held in 1877 was the Gentlemen’s Singles which was won by Spencer Gore, an old Harrovian rackets player, from a field of 22. About 200 spectators paid one shilling each to watch the final. In 1884 the Ladies’ Singles was inaugurated and from an entry of 13 players, Maud Watson became the champion. That same year, the Gentlemen’s Doubles was started, the trophy being donated to the Club by Oxford University Lawn Tennis Club upon cessation of their doubles championship, played from 1879 to 1883. May Sutton of the United States became the first overseas champion when she won the women’s singles in 1905. The first men’s overseas champion was Anthony Wilding of New Zealand.
Most Titles: American Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova hold the record of winning the highest number of titles at Wimbledon. Billie Jean King has won the 20 titles between 1961 and 1979, comprising six singles, 10 women’s doubles and four mixed doubles while Martina Navratilova captured the same number of titles between 1976 and 2003 comprising nine singles, Seven women’s doubles and four mixed doubles.
Most titles by a male player: The record of most number of titles by a male player is held by Britain’s Lawrence Doherty who has won 13 titles between 1897 and 1905, comprising five singles and eight doubles.
Most men’s singles titles: Britain’s William Renshaw who won seven titles between 1881 and 1889 and American Pete Sampras who claimed seven titles between 1993 and 2000 share the record of winning the highest number of single titles in this championship.
Most Women’s Singles Titles: The record of most woman’s single titles is held by Martina Navratilova of United States. She has won nine titles between 1978 and 1990. Most men’s double titles (pair): Britain’s Lawrence Doherty and Reginald Doherty hold the record of most men’s doubles titles. They have won eight doubles titles between 1897 and 1905.
Most women’s doubles titles (pair): American Elizabeth Ryan and Suzanne Lenglen of France have won six women’s double titles between 1919 and 1925 which is most in this championship.
Most men’s double titles (single): Australian Todd Woodbridge holds the record of most double titles. He has won nine doubles titles with two different partners between 1993 and 2004.
Most women’s doubles titles (single): The record of most women’s double titles by a single player is held by American Elizabeth Ryan who has won 12 women’s double titles with different partners between 1914 and 1934.
Most mixed doubles titles: American Vic Seixas and Doris Hart hold the record of most mixed double titles. They have won three successive titles between 1953 and 1955. Youngest champion: The youngest men’s champions was Boris Becker of Germany. He won the men’s single title in 1985 when he was 17 year and 227 days old. The youngest women’s champion was Britain’s Lottie Dod. She was 15 years and 285 days old when she won the women’s single title in 1887.
Oldest champion: The oldest champion was Britain’s Arthur Gore. He won his last title in 1909 at 41 years and 182 days. The oldest women’s champion was Charlotte Sterry of Britain. She was 37 years and 282 days old when she won her last title in 1908. Prize Money for Wimbledon 2011 was increased and up to £1.1 million for winner of the singles event will be given which comes equivalent to $1.8 million. The prize increase is much more as compared to 2010 Wimbledon and was done by the All England Club. For singles champions the prize increase is around 10 per cent as compared to 2010 Wimbledon and overall increase in total prize is 6.4 per cent more than last year. This time total prize money for Wimbledon 2011 is $23.9 million
