Episode 12
Wimbledon is steeped in history and tradition, dating all the way back to 1877. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and its adherence to tradition is one of its defining characteristics. Unlike the other Grand Slams (the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open), Wimbledon is still played on grass courts.
Maybe the most iconic tradition is the all-white dress code. Players are not allowed to wear blue, red, pink, yellow t-shirts. They have to wear majority-white clothing. For the fans, there are traditions too. No visit to Wimbledon is complete without indulging in strawberries and cream; a tradition that also dates back to the early days of the tournament.
Let’s look at some technical vocabulary you will hear during Wimbledon. The match starts with the serve. A player serves from behind the baseline, aiming to land the ball within the opponent’s service box. The first serve is usually more powerful and the aim is to score an ace; a serve that the opponent cannot touch.
If the serving player makes a mistake, the umpire will call a fault. Then the serving player will have a second opportunity, known as a second serve. The second serve usually is more cautious, because if another mistake happens, the player will be penalised with a double fault and they will lose the point. The receiving player will attempt to return the serve, hitting the ball back over the net and the point begins.
Once the rally is underway, you will see a variety of groundstrokes; shots hit after the ball has bounced. There are two types of groundstroke: forehand and backhand. You will also hear other terms: top spin shot, slice, volley, smash and drop shot. A drop shot is a softly hit ball that barely goes over the net, making it more difficult for the opponent to reach the ball. A shot like that can ignite an electric response from the crowd.
The two biggest courts at Wimbledon are Centre Court and Court One, but there is another area of the All England Club which attracts a lot of fans: Henman Hill. Spectators who are not in the arenas will gather on the grassy hill to watch the match on a big screen. Henman Hill, of course, is named after Tim Henman, a player from a previous generation who made the semi-finals of Wimbledon four times. He never made the final and to many fans and tennis experts, he is the greatest tennis player to never play in a Grand Slam final.
In more recent years, Andy Murray has taken the mantle of the British hero. He won Wimbledon twice in 2013 and in 2016. Andy Murray would also go on to win two Olympic gold medals at men’s tennis and he achieved a world ranking of number one. Tennis is a global sport, but whether you are a seasoned tennis fan or a casual observer, Wimbledon will always mix athleticism, tradition and fun.
Episode 12 vocabulary
Steeped in history - Deeply connected with history.
Adherence - The concept of following rules or traditions.
Dress code - A set of rules or guidelines specifying what clothing may and may not be worn in a particular place, for a particular occasion, or by a particular group of people. This can apply to school, work or social events.
To indulge in - To allow oneself to have or do something enjoyable, especially something that might be considered excessive or not healthy for you.
Umpire - An official in a sports competition who is responsible for enforcing the rules and making decisions. Often used interchangeably with "referee."
Cautious - Careful to avoid risk, especially an unnecessary risk.
Underway - In progress.
To ignite - To cause a strong feeling or reaction.
Spectator - A person who watches an event, show, game, or performance without participating in it themselves.
Mantle - The responsibilities of an important position or job, especially as given from the person who had the job to the person who replaces them.
Seasoned - Having a lot of practical experience or skill in a particular activity or field. It implies that someone has been involved for a considerable amount of time.
