Wimbledon 2023 is just around the corner! Here’s everything you need to know about the most iconic tournament in tennis.
Wimbledon 2023 Guide: Key Dates, Schedule, History, Players
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Get ready for the grandest spectacle in tennis! The iconic Wimbledon tournament, steeped in rich history and tradition, is just around the corner. Since its inception in 1877, Wimbledon has become an event synonymous with British summertime. To get you prepped for your A-game, we’ve pulled together a guide on everything you need to know for this year’s competition. So, grab your strawberries and cream, dust off your tennis whites, and let us get you prepared for Wimbledon 2023.
When and where is Wimbledon 2023?
Wimbledon takes place every summer. This year, it’ll be held between July 3rd and July 16th, over two weeks. As always, the tournament will be held in London, England at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon. The venue, based South West of the British capital, has three main courts: Centre Court (hosting the finals), Court One, and Court Two.
Centre Court, the largest of the three, can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators and is known for it’s electric atmosphere. Then, there’s Court One with a capacity of over 12,000 which is also known for intense matches. Lastly, there’s Court Two, also known as as the “Graveyard of Champions,” which seats 4,000 spectators.
The Ladies’ singles final and Men’s Singles final will take place on 15th and 16th of July respectively.
Who are the key players?
Wimbledon employs a seeding system to ensure top-ranked players don’t face off in the early rounds. For the Men’s and Ladies’ singles, the top 32 players in the world rankings receive automatic entry into the main draw. This year, Novak Djokovic, the men’s world number one, will be defending his 2022 Wimbledon title after a recent triumph at the French Open where he secured his 23rd Grand Slam title. On the Women’s side, Iga Swiatek from Poland, the French and U.S. Open champion, currently holds the top ranking. Swiatek will be aiming to improve upon her fourth-round finish at Wimbledon in 2021.
Furthermore, Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan is the defending Women’s champion.
Alongside automatic entries, Wimbledon organizers also grant wild cards to local hopefuls and notable players who have dropped in the rankings. This ensures a diverse and competitive field, showcasing both established stars and rising talents.
Who won’t make it this year?
As usual, there are some huge names in the tennis world making it down to Wimbledon 2023. However, there are a fair few super-players who won’t make the games this year for various reasons.
Rafael Nadal, a two-time champion, is recovering from hip surgery and will not be participating. Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion and runner-up at Wimbledon in 2017, is sidelined with a knee problem. Rising British star Jack Draper is also out due to injuries to his abdomen and shoulder.
Pablo Carreno Busta, set to be seeded, withdrew from Wimbledon after not playing any competitive tennis since the Madrid Open. Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, underwent surgery on both wrists and her ankle, so is taking the Summer to recover.
Elsewhere, Simona Halep, the 2018 Wimbledon champion, remains suspended following a failed drugs test. Amanda Anisimova, who reached the quarter-finals last year, is on an extended break due to burnout and concerns over her mental health.
Additionally, there are doubts surrounding the participation of Nick Kyrgios, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, and 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini – both due to injury. Paula Badosa’s Wimbledon participation is also uncertain due to a fractured vertebrae.
What do the winners get?
This year, the All England Club has announced a record-breaking prize money total of £44,700,000 for Wimbledon 2023. This represents an 11.2% increase from the previous year and a substantial 17.1% increase from the pre-pandemic Championships in 2019. The distribution of prize money emphasizes support for players in the early rounds, with a 14.5% increase in the qualifying competition fund and a 10% increase for main draw singles players exiting in the first round. Likewise, Doubles events and Wheelchair events also see significant increases of nearly 10.7% and close to 20%, respectively.
As well as this, the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Singles champions and runners-up will receive £2,350,000 and £1,175,000, respectively, returning prize money for these rounds to the 2019 levels. The All England Club aims to provide deserving support to players at all stages of the tournament, reaffirming their commitment to the sport and its competitors.
Where to watch Wimbledon 2023 on TV
Tickets for Wimbledon are not easy to come by, though for those that are London-based, you might be lucky enough to be able to get tickets on the day.
For tennis enthusiasts around the world, catching the Wimbledon action on TV will be the best way to watch Wimbledon 2023.
Here are some of the official broadcasters for Wimbledon in various regions:
Africa: Canal Plus International
Europe: Eurosport, BBC, Saran Sport
Asia Pacific & Oceania: Nine & Stan Sport, Sky, Digicel, TV Wan
India & subcontinent: Star Sports
Latin America & Caribbean: ESPN Latin America
Middle East: beIN Sports
North America: ESPN, Tennis Channel, TSN/RDS
On the whole, Wimbledon 2023 promises to be an unforgettable tournament filled with intense matches, surprise upsets, and awe-inspiring performances from the world’s best tennis players. Set against the iconic backdrop of London, this grasscourt extravaganza will captivate fans around the globe. Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and join the millions of tennis enthusiasts as we celebrate this historic event. Wimbledon awaits, and the stage is set for a fortnight of unforgettable tennis action.
To find out more about this year’s Wimbledon, head to the official website.
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