With the sun blazing down and the buzz of tennis fever in the air, dedicated Wimbledon fans have already started flocking to SW19—some with tents, others with picnic baskets, and all with one mission: to be among the first inside when gates open on Monday.
Setting Up Camp and Sipping Coffee in The Queue
Before 8am on Sunday morning, Wimbledon Park was already alive with the clink of thermos lids, the rustle of sleeping bags, and the hum of conversation.
People lounged in camping chairs, enjoyed early breakfasts, and chatted with fellow tennis lovers—all while proudly waving Union Jacks and soaking up the excitement.
This is all part of “The Queue,” a legendary Wimbledon tradition dating back to 1927.
It’s first-come, first-served for those golden tickets, and even though matches won’t begin until 11am Monday, fans are lining up now to get their hands on them.
British Stars Spark the Hype
This year’s buzz is turbocharged thanks to some major British talent on the courts.
Emma Raducanu, 22, is back in the spotlight and will face teenage wildcard Mimi Xu in what promises to be a thrilling all-British opener.
Jack Draper, currently Britain’s top-ranked male player, kicks off his campaign against Argentina’s world number 38, Sebastian Baez.
Draper’s journey could get intense quickly—if all goes well, he may find himself battling Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. Djokovic is chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title, so the stakes couldn’t be higher.
And if Draper goes all the way? A cool £3 million is waiting for the Wimbledon champ.
From Amateur Dreams to Centre Court Drama
Also stepping into the spotlight is college-level British hopeful Oliver Tarvet.
If he clears his first hurdle, he could be looking at a dream match-up with none other than defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in round two.
But since Tarvet still holds amateur status, he’ll be missing out on any prize money, no matter how far he gets.
Big Names and Bigger Expectations
Alongside Djokovic and Alcaraz, fans are eager to see reigning women’s champ Barbora Krejcikova return to the court following an injury.
She’s one of several big names drawing global attention.
Raducanu and Draper aren’t alone in flying the British flag.
A whopping 23 home players are part of this year’s singles draw—the largest showing from the UK since 1984—giving fans even more reason to root from the stands (or the grass outside).
How Wimbledon Keeps Order in the Queue
Wimbledon’s stewards are keeping things well organized as always.
Fans receive official queue cards to secure their place in line, and overnight camping is only allowed in specially designated zones.
If you’re among the lucky ones, you’ll get a wristband guaranteeing you a seat come game day.
It All Kicks Off on Monday
The All England Lawn Tennis Club officially opens its gates Monday, marking the start of another unforgettable Grand Slam.
With homegrown talent, global stars, and an electric crowd already buzzing outside, Wimbledon 2025 is shaping up to be a classic.