To think that Wimbledon needs to up its game?

I think, like other slams, all lines will be automatically called next year, doing away with lines people.

So you won’t need to worry about their outfits.

Think it comes down to taste. A polo shirt and culottes sounds hideous to me even if the RL trousers aren’t ideally cut for curvier figures! I had not heard they were removing the line judges, that is sad as they are the last slam to have them.
my only gripes with Wimbledon are the recent aggressive drive on social media pushing the celebs and fashion aspect. It was much nicer when this was done discreetly but I guess the debenture prices have rocketed in recent years so they feel they need to keep at the forefront of the summer events somehow!
the other is the aggressive approach to the local redevelopment, getting Djokovic to advocate for it in media interviews etc. He won’t have skip trucks thundering past for a decade and local parkland concreted over, so I DGAF what he thinks frankly.

Either way they're still volunteers.

As all lines men and women and ball boys and girls are volunteers I'm sure they are really honoured to work at such an event

Don't know about the linesmen/women but the ball boys and girls are paid.

Ffs have you not seen the amount of rain interruptions they had this year?! Moving cool boxes, wooden seats, cushions etc would take too long. The umpires chair has wheels on so it is easy to move when they need to put the covers on and take down the net.

The linesmen and women are proud to wear the uniform, women can opt for skirts if they wish. The blazers I think are rather stylish and I would love one. They even have flat caps.

As all lines men and women and ball boys and girls are volunteers I'm sure they are really honoured to work at such an event, regardless of what someone watching on telly thinks of their uniform or how well they play tennis.

Players also treat Wimbledon with the upmost respect, it's not every day you get royalty presenting you with a trophy or watching you play. Everything even down to their towels is classic (I have one from when I went), although they no longer throw the branded Wimbledon towels as they only get one I believe.

I went yesterday - agree about the linesmen/women's outfits being awful (sorry Ralph) - very badly tailored trousers (no pleating), terrible fit on all of them esp the more curvy, all looked slightly disheveled rather than smart.

Ball boy/girls on the other hand looked great! Sporty, practical outfits.

Actually think most spectators stayed till the end of both men's semi-final matches yesterday (to address another point about people leaving early) except for lots the celebs/actors who barely watched half an hr of tennis in total (looking at you Hugh, Rami and Stanley 👀). The older royals on the other hand stayed in their seats the whole time!

I agree. It's a special tournament, we know how all the players value it.

I agree. Just leave it alone. It’s great as it is.

No, it's a discussion thread. We're sharing thoughts and opinions. No "must" about it 😂

Arts & Crafts was earlier than 1920.

Well you don't need to say anything. But you clearly feel you must.

😂😂
What can I say. Keep the players off, keep it pristine. Oh and don't get me started about kids in the park. Get rid of the swings.

Its a very upper class atmosphere with most people probably having their own tennis courts. I think I'm middle class but I've never felt such a pleb. I don't get it.

Well I've been there and didn't feel like a pleb at all and I'm very much not upper class. Your feeling of inferiority is a you issue.

I hope Wimbledon never changes too much. I've also been to the US Open too, and these events are all about enjoying the tennis, not measuring yourself against other fans.

It’s a tennis match for gods sake…not London fashion week (or fortnight!).

Like I say, not interest in it at all. Just thought they have all year, a shed load of money and the best groundsman and the best they can manage is like the bit under the swing in the garden.

There are definitely people who dress up for Wimbledon and maybe they're more noticeable to you, but I'd say most people just dress for comfort or for the weather. Most of the real tennis fans do, especially if you're queuing from early in the morning and plan to be on your feet going round the outside courts all day.

Wimbledon likes to project a fancy upper-class vibe as part of its branding but t's secretly one of the more egalitarian big sporting events I've ever been to. The grounds passes are some of the best value tickets around, especially in the first week. The fact that you can bring in your own food and booze is a real contrast to other entertainment events trying to rinse you out of every penny. When I was younger and poorer, Wimbledon ended up being an extraordinarily cheap day out because of that.

(Now Queen's... that event epitomises upper-class snobbery. Wimbledon couldn't be more different)

Well you're obviously no tennis fan if you didn't notice or realise the vibe - you can see all that even from just the tv coverage. Give your tickets to someone who will actually appreciate the experience next time. Do you have any idea how many people try for tickets each year?

Wimbledon isn't just a "sports event" it's years of British custom and tradition.
So no, I don't want to see tracksuits. FFS.

You really don't get the Wimbledon vibe at all do you? Give me your ticket next time, I'll appreciate it!

😂perhaps they should stop world class athletes pounding about on it, and hammering balls at 130mph 😂

I've no interest in Wimbledon and only saw it on TV in the pub by accident.
The thing that amazed me was how appalling the state of the grass is. All that expertise and money and bald patches of mud everywhere.

What does he know? 🤣

Random.

With the Wimbledon title being the one that all players want, I'm sure they're not thinking about the chair or the classic uniform.

There are some larger linesmen and women that have been there for years, they are the absolute best. Of course they've been properly fitted for their uniform, by the best tailors. It's not a job in Tesco.

Skorts for girls.

YAB completely U.

Wimbledon is a tradition that clearly passes you by.

It's the English upper class way. Spend loads of money being as uncomfortable as possible. Send your kids to rickety old schools where they get starved and beaten (and the rest), live in decrepit houses where everything smells of dog and woodworm, drive shit cars etc. Plenty of cash, no joy.