Wimbledon Tennis: Town emits community pride during championship

Wimbledon town centre and the village is lively, enthusiastic, and filled with a sense of community during the tennis championships.

It's a place where tennis fans and locals come together to celebrate the sport, enjoy the festivities, and share in the excitement of one of the most prestigious tennis events in the world.

The tournament first began in 1877, and it gives off a sense of tradition and heritage that is cherished by both players, spectators, and the local area.

The attendees are often dressed in smart attire or beautiful outfits which I love keeping an eye out for and it creates a refined ambience in the area.

It is great to see people enjoying the best of what Wimbledon town and village have to offer – especially if they may not have visited here originally if the games were not on.

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It’s exciting to see the crowds rush the local pubs, discussing the way that the matches have played out, analysing players' performances, and eagerly awaiting the latest results.

It’s a captivating blend of tradition, elegance, and passionate support for the sport – as well as a lot of pints, Pimms and strawberries and cream I must admit.

The town sees an influx of tennis enthusiasts – which is not much different to the normal day-to-day in Wimbledon as many people who live here have a real passion for the sport and often attend.

Whilst we all get a little frustrated by the battle to get into Wimbledon station or when your favourite pub on the Broadway has no outdoor seats available because it's full of tennis fans, the sense of pride within the community wins overall.

It has also been decorated with a lawn and is strewn with green and purple banners to welcome in visitors.

Getting around the town centre can prove a little difficult as it is much busier than usual during the championships, with an increase in both people on the pavement and public transport.

Wimbledon Station, which a major transportation hub, becomes particularly busy as it serves as the main entry point for spectators attending the tournament – so I must admit I do try and avoid it during these two weeks.

Wimbledon Station (Image: Amy C)

I also noticed that more people play tennis in the local parks during this season – especially children who get are getting their first taste of the sport and with plenty of coaching options available, you can see how the area attracts many passionate future players.

Strawberries and cream are served just about everywhere in the town centre during the two weeks, and I often see fans walking from the courts into the village with their tubs in hand.

The dessert choice is said to have been served at the first ever edition of Wimbledon in 1877, when only 200 fans were in attendance.

It is said to have become popular because the King took a particular liking to the snack.

Even if you are not really into Tennis, many people have told me that they attend just to soak up the tournament's atmosphere and the general celebrations that go on in the area.

The streets are adorned with creative tennis-themed decorations and promotional displays, showcasing the town's pride in hosting such a prestigious event.

In all honestly, I think the town is better decorated during the championships than it is during Christmas and Halloween – it really is a sight to see.

I love how crazy some of the decorations are – I walked past Barclays the other day which had a giant strawberry with cream on the roof.

I also saw a giant tennis ball with a cute face in the window of a shop called Postmark in Wimbledon Village, with the Ivy and its two giant tennis racquets strapped to the side of the building a short distance away.

Businesses decorated for the games (Image: PA)

Even the charity shops manage to pull off unique shop fronts using items donated by people, often trying to replicate the fashion that you see at the games.

Many businesses take advantage of the tournament to create a festive ambiance and you often find shops offering tennis-related merchandise, special promotions, or themed menus and cocktails in bars and restaurants.

Even those who don’t fancy attending the games themselves take advantage of the large screen that is set up outside Morrisons which broadcast matches, allowing people to gather and enjoy the action together after a round of shopping – it’s a real communal experience.

I’d recommend to anyone to visit Wimbledon during this season as it is an all round mix of celebration, anticipation, and a shared passion for tennis.