Tennis Tourist: Home sweet Home

While my tennis tourist entries tend to be written from my experiences on the road, writing my guide to the Championships is different.

I have spent the best part of a decade living just two minutes’ walk from Gate 13 of the All England Club, in which time I have seen the development of the Centre Court roof, the new Court 2 and most recently the rebuilding of Court 3. People tend to praise their experiences abroad more than those on their doorstep, but while each of the Grand Slams has its own character and unique appeal, the Championships truly stands apart. The heritage, tradition and Britishness of the event each play their part in this magnificent celebration of tennis.

For those planning their first trip to SW19, I recommend taking the tube or train and leaving the car at home. As you might expect, the roads are busy and parking is either remote – though the AA provides park-and-ride facilities from a number of the official car parks – or borderline extortionate. Many local residents rent their driveways for around £20 a day per car, sometimes more. Hardly the cheapest way to start what can turn into an expensive day.

There are three stations on the Wimbledon branch of the London Underground’s District Line that serve the AELTC, each offering a very different experience. Southfields, the most popular, is a 15-minute walk from Gate 1 at the north end of the grounds and recommended for the fanatics. On leaving the station, you pass the PWP tennis shop, a goldmine for tennis gear, rackets and expert advice. adidas are also stocking the shop next door for the fortnight should you feel inclined to deck yourself out in a certain Scot’s on-court kit.

Southfields is also the port of call for those queuing for tickets. I often pop down to photograph the overnight campers and they always look in great spirits.

If you’re looking for a stroll rather than a race to the All England Club, Wimbledon Park is probably more up your street. It is also home to the Tennis Gallery, a Tardis of a shop selling everything from tennis books and magazines to DVDs, posters and rare memorabilia. Stay on to the end of the line at Wimbledon station and enhance your experience by riding a red Routemaster bus to the gates.

Once inside, revel in the sight of the lush green grass courts with their plain green backdrops – a snapper’s delight. Despite the technological sophistication of the complex’s infrastructure, as you sit or stand courtside watching the players in their whites it could be any decade from the last 50 years. This timeless magic is what makes the Championships so special, a feeling accentuated as the sun goes down and the evening shadows stretch across the courts. Even during the inevitable rain delays visitors keep smiling, despite being soaked to the skin.

There’s no beating a show court ticket but a ground pass, during the first week in particular, is money well spent. There are so many great players and great matches on show that you are guaranteed a fantastic day on every court during  the early rounds – and the battles between lower-ranked players often rival the ritual battering doled out by the top seeds early on in terms of entertainment value. As the play goes on, as long as the sunlight lasts, you can be watching tennis from midday until beyond 9pm, and look out for the ticket resale shed near the summit of the Aorangi Terrace (otherwise known as Henman Hill or Murrayfield) where you can pick up vacated show court seats for a fiver apiece later in the day.

During the Championships, Wimbledon Village comes to life, not least because you might well bump into any number of players in Starbucks or one of the many restaurants. The Dog and Fox is the biggest and most popular pub to drink at throughout the tournament, but its prices make London’s West End look cheap. Try the Fire Stables, a bar-restaurant on Church Road that has a great atmosphere and an excellent menu. For a great breakfast there’s Giraffe, for lunch, the recently opened Carluccio's and in the evening, San Lorenzo Fuoriporta on Wimbledon Hill Road, the Light House on the Ridgeway or the excellent Côte restaurant on the High Street – each the ideal way to start or finish a day soaking up the unique Championships atmosphere.