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The immaculate grass courts of southwest London
went untrodden last year as one of the highlights of the
sporting calendar was cancelled for the first time in three
quarters of a century, another casualty of the COVID-19
pandemic.
It may not be 'normal service' just yet, the emphasis still more
on social distancing than socialising, but play is at least
being resumed with eager spectators set to attend in their
thousands next week.
"When Wimbledon was cancelled last year, that was a shot in the
gut for our sport. A terrible time," commented three-times
Wimbledon winner and ESPN analyst John McEnroe. "So to have it
back is incredible."
The tournament is a government-approved 'pilot event' with a
minimum 50% capacity rising to a full 15,000 attendance for the
men's and women's singles finals on Centre Court.
Ticket holders must still show proof of vaccination, a negative
COVID-19 test or evidence of full recovery from the virus, and
wear facemasks when moving around the grounds but not while
seated.
Organisers warned that some distancing would be required,
particularly in managing any queues.
The most famous queue of all -- for returns and tickets on the
day -- has left the park and gone virtual, like so much else
over the past year, with sales via a mobile app and initially to
UK residents only.
'Henman Hill', the grassy mound outside Court One where large
numbers of fans typically congregate to watch games on the big
screen, will be open but details about the numbers permitted are
still sketchy.
Players are limited to a maximum entourage of three and even the
biggest names must stay in approved hotels rather than the usual
option of renting private homes in the upmarket neighbourhood.
Those who usually live in London are also having to check into
these so-called Wimbledon bubble hotels.
The reaction from top players is one of excitement to be walking
out again at the only Grand Slam tournament that was not held
last year.
"It's going to be an incredible event... It's our Augusta
National with how green it is, how much that tournament has,"
commented big-hitting American John Isner. "Everyone will be
looking forward to get back there.
Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, a 2019 women's semi-finalist, agreed
it had been much missed.
"I think the whole experience of Wimbledon is something magical
because we know that the rules are quite strict, and this year
it's going to be even more strict with all the protocols that we
have to follow," she said.
"But you're just in white, you are at such a nice venue, an
historical venue, so all the atmosphere that the fans make and
just stepping on the court, it's all the whole experience I
would say."
(Additional reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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