Besides softball, tennis was the one sport I loved to watch and play. I took tennis seriously and spent many summer days playing, training and prepping for my high school (and hopeful) college career.
One of my dreams as a child was to visit all the Grand Slam events and stadiums. In 2005, I visited Rod Laver arena in Melbourne, Australia. At this time, I studied sport management in the US and the simplicity of Australian tennis and rugby facilities proved that the US treated sports like an amusement park.
One facility down, three more to go. While living in Germany, we planned a trip to London, not realizing that it was Wimbledon Finals weekend. Besides hotels costing around 300 pounds per night, we were destined to visit the arena.
One of my dreams as a child was to visit all the Grand Slam events and stadiums. In 2005, I visited Rod Laver arena in Melbourne, Australia. At this time, I studied sport management in the US and the simplicity of Australian tennis and rugby facilities proved that the US treated sports like an amusement park.
One facility down, three more to go. While living in Germany, we planned a trip to London, not realizing that it was Wimbledon Finals weekend. Besides hotels costing around 300 pounds per night, we were destined to visit the arena.
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I naively figured that the grand television and grassy knoll that you see on TV is outside of the arena. We trecked to the stadium, pouring sweat in one of the hottest weekends of the year.
Where’s the television? I wanted to do a quick photo snap and be on our merry way until we saw signs pointing to the General Admission line.
What is general admission? We didn’t really know, but we were told that we could walk around the stadium. Oh hell, for 15 pounds I might as well get as close to my dream as possible for at least one picture. I may not be able to sip tea and eat crumpets on center court, but I could at least experience Wimbledon.
After passing through security check, we were granted access into the stadium.
Where’s the television? I wanted to do a quick photo snap and be on our merry way until we saw signs pointing to the General Admission line.
What is general admission? We didn’t really know, but we were told that we could walk around the stadium. Oh hell, for 15 pounds I might as well get as close to my dream as possible for at least one picture. I may not be able to sip tea and eat crumpets on center court, but I could at least experience Wimbledon.
After passing through security check, we were granted access into the stadium.
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And holy shit, you can watch tennis matches? In America, you have to pay for everything and I assumed the general admission provided access to only the grounds.
Oh but we were so wrong. General admission allows you watch many lower level matches all for the price of 15 pounds! You can’t even buy a hot dog and a beer for that price in America.
Oh but we were so wrong. General admission allows you watch many lower level matches all for the price of 15 pounds! You can’t even buy a hot dog and a beer for that price in America.
Perusing through the “streets” dotted with purple flower hanging baskets, we quietly sat, “oohh and awed” and clapped at the Men’s Junior Final Matches. Live tennis is exciting especially when the crowd naturally reacts with the same noise for every (missed) shot, Ace or lobby.
After the match, we meandered through court to find the grassy knoll with the Big screen TV. That’s where it is, inside! How clever. The television broadcasted the men’s final match played on center court. There is so much purple and green inside the stadium that the contrast feels soothes any unexpected sunburn.
The only downfall to the experience was that it was bloody hot as hell. A five-pound ice cream cone can only cool you off for so long, so it’s best to wear a sundress during hot days as your skin melts into the seats.
The only downfall to the experience was that it was bloody hot as hell. A five-pound ice cream cone can only cool you off for so long, so it’s best to wear a sundress during hot days as your skin melts into the seats.
So, if you visit London during Wimbledon season, take advantage of the General Admission ticket. It’s well worth the experience.
And you can view some of the bigger matches and courts especially before the play time. And the security is nice enough to take a picture with you. Apparently, my American accent of saying, “Can you take a picture of us?” meant for my husband to take a picture of the security guy and me.
And you can view some of the bigger matches and courts especially before the play time. And the security is nice enough to take a picture with you. Apparently, my American accent of saying, “Can you take a picture of us?” meant for my husband to take a picture of the security guy and me.
Ahhh so one dream down......so many more to go!
Have you been to Wimbledon? Who did you see play? What was your favorite part?
Find a Lemon Every Now & Then....
Find a Lemon Every Now & Then....
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