The Championships, Wimbledon Facts
History - Important Facts - Records - Winners -- Calendars 2008
Wimbledon Facts
Wimbledon is acknowledged to be the premier tennis tournament in the world and the priority of The All England Lawn Tennis. Players from over 60 nations regularly compete in front of a crowd of millions worldwide, through the press, radio, internet and television.
In 1979 the roof of the Centre Court was raised one meter to provide room for another 1,088 seats. In 1980 the Members' Enclosure was made a permanent building. The following year the old #.1 Court complexes were rebuilt and enlargements to the North and South Stands increased the capacity of the court by 1,250.
In 1980 Bjorn Borg of Sweden became the first player to win the Gentlemen's Singles five times since the 1880s.
The centenary of the Ladies' Singles Championship was celebrated in 1984.
In 1985 Boris Becker became the youngest player, the first unseeded player and the first German to win the Gentlemen's Singles.
The East Side Building of the Centre Court was opened in 1985. This vast operation provided over 800 extra seats and additional media commentary boxes, new accommodation for the administration staff, a redesigned Museum and an improved Tea Lawn
The 100th Championships was celebrated in 1986.
In 1987 Martina Navratilova of the United States became the first player to win the Ladies' Singles six times and in 1990 attained the all-time record of nine victories in the event.
Pete Sampras of the United States registered his seventh win in 2000.
In 2001, Goran Ivanisevic became the first wildcard to win the Gentlemen's Singles.
The construction of a new Championships entrance building, housing Club staff, museum, bank and ticket office; will leave the Centre Court east side empty and allow development to provide better facilities for the public and will increase the seating capacity from 13,800 to 15,000 and erect a retractable roof.
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