Hi,
We are planning on going to Wimbledon during the first few days of the event this year and I have a few questions. 1) If someone else (besides me) gets there early and stands in line...is it very hard to find that person? I would love to not get there at 7:30 if I don't have to. I have never been, so I am not sure how big the stadium area is.

2) Does anyone know what time tickets will be handed out so if we do go in stages, what time I would need to get there in order to get my ticket?

3) Are there restaurants/pubs nearby as well? Any you would recommend?

Thank you for any light you can shed on these topics. I have read several postings but I still have questions.

Thanks for the help! - STP

Do you have tickets or are you planning on lining up for the daily grounds tickets? If it's the latter I'd get there as early as you can stand it. The tennis facility is not monstrous (like Times Square on New Years Eve) but I recall there are two queues for the tickets and lots of people milling about. A pair of mobile phones would come in handy trying to locate someone in the crowd.

I've only done this once (and have been lucky in the ticket lottery on two other occasions!) but I noticed people being fairly strict about lining up protocol. If you were a diligent queue member who needed a bathroom break, the queue mates would hold your spot. But I also saw a trio who wanted to join a friend in line effectively shamed to the back of the queue for trying to cut it. Reminded me of elementary school!

Thanks for the advice. No, I don't have tickets...just lining up and keeping our fingers crossed we get in. Do you think the first day will be more difficult to get tickets than the second?

STP, If it's a fair day, the lines will be long. They'll be even longer if Tim Henman or Greg Rusedski is playing. So unless you're a major fan of the English players, pick a day when they're not in the line up.

If you weren't too bothered about getting on Centre or No1, on the first couple of days there will be big names on the outside courts. You still have to be there early but just not as early.

You canbuy tickets for Wimbledon on ebay. I am going to be there also, and was going to get in line, but I heard you have to be there EARLY. I am buying mine on e-bay

I actually live near the courts and I can tell you that people queue up all night, but only a few people deep, so you would find your pal. They queue up along Augustus Rd(use www.streetmap.co.uk)

"Wimbledon" is actually in Southfields which is a tiny place. We have two pubs, three restaurants and a boots chemists. We can't cope with the numbers.

If you are looking for somewhere nice after the tennis, my advice is to jump on the tube at Southfields (Or wimbledon Park) and head to Putney which is packed with pubs, bars and restaurants and can absorb the crowds. Its about 10 minutes on the tube (one stop from Southfields). I wouldn't much recommend Wimbledon itself. The Village is nice, but again gets swamped (it's a popular summer destination in it's own right).

If you have specific questions, I'll try to help.

p.s I loathe tennis, and have never been to the chamopionship

David
And the very nice french deli selling wonderful bread, cheese, pates and other goodies!