Wimbledon is the oldest and most tradition-bound tournament in professional tennis. Played each summer at the All England Club in London, it is the third Grand Slam of the calendar year after the Australian Open and the French Open and is the only major contested on grass.
First held in 1877 and part of the Open Era since 1968, Wimbledon blends historical customs with modern championship tennis. This guide explains how the tournament is structured, how the draw works, how ranking points are awarded and what distinguishes Wimbledon from the other Grand Slams.
Where It Is Played
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
City: London, United Kingdom
Surface: Outdoor grass
Main stadium: Centre Court
Grass courts produce lower, faster bounces than clay or most hard courts, favoring aggressive play, strong serving and quick movement.
Tournament Format
Main Draw Size
- 128-player singles draw (men and women)
- 64-team doubles draw
- Mixed doubles event
- Junior and wheelchair competitions
Match Format
- Men’s singles: Best of five sets
- Women’s singles: Best of three sets
- Final-set tiebreak: First to 10 points at 6–6 in the deciding set
Wimbledon adopted the 10-point final-set tiebreak in line with other Grand Slams in recent seasons.
How the Draw Works
Wimbledon features 128 players in singles, including 32 seeds.
- Seeds are distributed to prevent early-round clashes
- The top two seeds cannot meet before the final
- Seeds 1–4 cannot meet before the semifinals
- Unseeded players are placed randomly
- Qualifiers earn entry through a three-round qualifying tournament
Grass-court results leading into Wimbledon often affect seeding positions.
Ranking Points Distribution (Singles)
As a Grand Slam, Wimbledon awards the maximum ranking points.
- Champion: 2,000 points
- Finalist: 1,300 points
- Semifinalist: 800 points
- Quarterfinalist: 400 points
- Fourth Round: 200 points
Points apply within the 52-week ATP and WTA ranking systems.
Prize Money
Wimbledon distributes prize money across all rounds, including qualifying and early-round exits. Official totals are announced prior to each edition and are among the highest in the sport.
Scheduling Structure
- Two-week main draw
- Late June through early July
- No play on the middle Sunday (now often used for scheduled play in recent editions)
- Traditional all-white dress code
Weather interruptions are common due to London rain, though Centre Court and Court No. 1 now have retractable roofs.
What Makes Wimbledon Unique
- Only Grand Slam played on grass
- Long-standing traditions and dress code
- Royal patronage and Centre Court heritage
- Short grass-court season leading into the event
The surface rewards aggressive serving, net play and quick point construction.
How It Compares to Other Grand Slams
| Tournament | Surface | Typical Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | Hard | Medium |
| Roland Garros | Clay | Slow |
| Wimbledon | Grass | Fast |
| US Open | Hard | Medium-Fast |
Surface variation across the four majors shapes career legacies and stylistic matchups.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Wimbledon played?
Typically late June through early July.
How many players are seeded?
32 in singles.
How many ranking points does the champion receive?
2,000 points.
What surface is used?
Outdoor grass at the All England Club.
