Wimbledon 2022 : Few facts about the tournament that you must know

With its history and the prestige attached, most tennis players have their eye on the title as the stepping stone of their flourishing tennis career. Here are some facts about the history of Wimbledon that not many are aware of. 

Wimbledon started as a tournament only for men

When Wimbledon started in 1877, it had no women's categories. The tournament was referred to as the 'gentlemen's championship' and had no titles for women until 1884, when the first women's category was introduced in this prestigious international championship. 

Martina Hingis is the youngest player ever to win the title

Though Wimbledon also holds junior tournaments alongside the senior tournaments, there was one girl who won the old title at an incredibly young age of 15 years. Martina Hingis is, to date, the youngest player to ever win the title. She won the finals in the doubles category and still holds the record. 

Wimbledon has a strict only white dress code rule

Since its inception, the tournament requires the participants to wear an all-white dress code while playing on the court. Though this dress code has originated many controversies in the tennis field, the rule has stayed intact all these years. 

Strawberries and cream are Wimbledon's traditional snacks

When Wimbledon was a new tournament, strawberries were considered a fancy fruit. Coincidentally, the season of strawberries fell at the same time as the tournament was held, so it became a traditional snack for the audience. To date, people eat strawberries with cream during Wimbledon, which is a charming tradition. 

Players had to curtsy towards the royal box

Until 2003, the rule in Wimbledon for the players was to bow down or curtsy towards the royal box when they entered the court. However, this rule was struck down in 2003, after which the players were only required to do the exercise if the Queen or the Prince were attending the game. Because the Queen hardly ever attends the fun, the tradition has now lost its value. 

Winners take home a replica of the original trophy

You may be surprised to know that the winners of the Wimbledon tournament don't take home the original trophy but only a replica of it. While men take home an 8inch replica of the 18-inch tall, shining and beautiful trophy, the women take home a replica of the beautiful and magnificent Venus Rosewater dish.