This SlideShowPro photo gallery requires the Flash Player plugin and a web browser with JavaScript enabled.
Ask any tennis fan what the world's most prestigious tennis tournament is, and
they'll almost certainly answer Wimbledon without blinking an eye. And they'd be
right. The Championships is a grass tennis tournament held each year from the
middle of June to the beginning of July at the All England Lawn Tennis and
Croquet Club in the London suburb of Wimbledon, hence the name Wimbledon.
Wimbledon History
In fact, the first ever Wimbledon tennis tournament took place in 1877 in the
form of Gentlemen's Singles, which drew some 22 players and was won by Spencer
Gore. It attracted over 200 spectators, no doubt many of whom bet on the
outcome. And so the world's most famous tennis tournament was born, as well as
what would evolve into a thriving Wimbledon betting industry.
In 1884, Ladies'
Singles and Gentlemen's Doubles were added to the Wimbledon lineup, as were
Ladies' Doubles and Mixed Doubles in 1913. Wimbledon was televised for the first
time in 1937 and remained an amateur event until 1968, when it became the
professional event it is today, with some of the biggest prizes for the winners
in the sport. For instance, the prize pool for the 2012 Wimbledon Championships
is £14,600,000.
Wimbledon Rules
Wimbledon is a single-elimination tournament which means players are knocked out
the first time they lose. Gentlemen's Singles and Gentlemen's Doubles are played
up to five sets (best-of-five) while all other events are played up to three
sets (best-of-three). If the score reaches 6-6 in any set except the last set, a
tiebreak ensues.
However, in the final set, the winner must win by two games.
This rule led to an incredible match in 2010 between American John Isner and
Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. It was only a men's' first round singles match, but is
now part of Wimbledon tennis history as the longest match ever played (11 hours
over 3 days). Isner eventually won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6 and 70-68.
Wimbledon Greats
Over the years Wimbledon betting fans have had a wide choice tennis greats and
highly anticipated matchups to wager on. Some of Wimbledon's best known
champions include Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Björn Borg, John McEnroe, Chris
Evert, Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Boris Becker, Pat Cash, Steffie
Graf, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and many more.
Post 1968,
American Pete Sampras still holds the record for the most number of Wimbledon
men's singles titles with seven, while American Martina Navrátilová still holds
the record for the most number of Wimbledon women's singles titles with nine.
Wimbledon 2012
Heading into Wimbledon 2012, in terms of early betting favourites to win the
Men's Wimbledon Singles title, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy
Murray, Juan Martin del Potro and Milos Raonic are leading the way. And when it
comes to the Women's Wimbledon Singles title, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova,
Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki are at
the top of the betting boards.
Wimbledon has often been described as the 'Mecca' of professional tennis tournaments, and for good reason considering it's been around since 1877, and has spawned some of the most exciting tennis matches, rivalries and betting opportunities over the decades.
