Thinking of doing the queue this year for the first time. We've been lucky over the last 5 years and got centre court tickets twice, once through the public ballot and once local tennis club. TBH I'd be happy with a ground pass. Anyone here done the queue?
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I think we got there about 8am and scraped in to no 2 court.
I'm guessing to get centre or No 1 you'll need to be there by 6 or 7 am, but only guessing.
Good luck.
There's a Twitter page (ViewfromtheQ I think) where people post what time they got there and how far down the queue they were so it might give you an idea of how early to go.
Me and a mate were in the pub and we'd had a few. As we walked out at closing time, a nightbus went past. We both looked at each other, shouted "Wimbledon" and jumped on (these were the days when you could literally jump on a bus). 30 minutes later we were in Trafalgar Square getting on the next night bus to Wimbledon, and soon we were in the queue. Everyone except us was well prepared with tents, blankets and food.
I entertained the crowds in the early hours by projectile vomiting multiple pints of Holsten Pils.
Although we were a long way down the queue we got into Centre Court (because there was no play scheduled, no tickets had been sold, so the whole of Centre Court was filled with queuers). We saw some great names, including (I'm pretty certain) Jimmy Connors on his last Wimbledon appearance. I was in the background as he was filmed walking of court and was subsequently on the opening titles of the BBC coverage for the next week.
When walking out at the end of the day, we saw a huge crowd running towards us. I tried to move out of the way but as I did so Martina Navratilova collided with me as she was trying to get away from the hordes of autograph hunters.
I also got interviewed by Sky news on the way out and was seen in the pub that we'd left the day before.
A very memorable 24 hours.
I know someone who does it every year. She gets there about 7am and usually gets to see lots of outside court matches.
I'm told it's all very civilised and there is lots of camaraderie.
Bowled up about 10:30. Took a good few hours. Got outer court tickets.
It was a scorching hot day. I remember some savvy fella selling Tesco ice lollies for £3 a pop. Reckon he paid £2 for a box of 15!
Ladies Final | Ladies Doubles Final | Mens Doubles Final
Unless a backlog means that one of the main finals is moved over, you're unlikely to see anything spectacular
I'm torn, we were thinking outside courts and return tickets as it's cheaper etc, but it seems a pain to get into London by 7am or something, especially if we fancy a few drinks and don't drive.
I think I'll go for camping on first Tues from around 2pm for Weds or possibly Weds for Thurs.
It's meant to hit 86F on Wednesday.
I have been about 4 times in last 10 years and only go if The forecast is sunny with a 1% chance of rain. If you go on first two days you will see top players on out side courts but not Rafa, Novak or Roger etc.
£22 last time I went may be £ 25 now but if you put up with queuing in a park you will be given a card with a number on.
We got there at 7am and still got in by 11.30 before play started on the out side courts.
The tent people have their own queue and give them a wide berth as some haven't washed for a week.
I'm a tennis nut and enjoy being close up to the action.
Highlight was doing up my shoe laces when Maria Sharapova Walked within touching distant ? I may be on the wrong thread for my next thoughts !
It works out to £2 an hour if you stay till 9pm. If not you can eat drink and be merry and spend £100 watching the celebs.
Anyone for tennis ?