Order of Play boards on Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, London

© AELTC/Bob Martin via USA TODAY Sport

Wimbledon’s return

Welcome to Wimbledon, the world’s oldest and, some say, most prestigious tennis tournament. Our homepage photograph shows the Order of Play boards for the 2020 championships, which were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It was the first time since World War Two that the famous championships had not taken place here in south-west London. First held at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club on grounds at Worple Road in 1877, the tournament moved to its iconic grounds on Church Road in 1922. In normal years, you will find an extremely long line of tennis fans, known as The Queue, waiting outside for their chance to get tickets for that day’s matches, some camping overnight to secure their place.

This year, The Queue is not operating due to social distancing requirements. But other Wimbledon traditions, like strawberries and cream and Pimm’s, are still on the menu, served up with a healthy dollop of top-tier tennis.