I love seeing the Wimbledon highlights, with the players in white on that great green grass---it's such a sign of summer. I know that tickets can be difficult to get, either through the lottery or by waiting in line for tickets to the outer courts.

Has anyone here ever gone to Wimbledon?

I haven't been but am also looking for info on securing tickets as we are planning a trip to London June 2010. I have seen packages available through AMEX Platinum but they are pricey.

I have, but the last time was in 1986.

Thin

I've been a few times and have queued, applied through the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) lottery and been a corporate guest, and each and every time it was worth it.

The easiest (and most booze-soaked) way is naturally as a corporate guest, but unsurprisingly many of the people with these tickets are more interested in the free bar than the tennis.

I actually would recommend queuing for tickets if you have no-one likely to take you along as corporate guest and you've missed out on the lottery. I've queued once (with visitors from abroad, who wanted to go to Wimbledon at all costs) and it was quite an enjoyable experience. The queue, which at first can seem quite foreboding, actually moves quite quickly and if you don't end up striking up conversations with those around you in the queue, there must be something wrong with you.

Any queuing will quickly be forgotten once you get inside anyway as the atmosphere is unlike any other sporting event I've been to. That and the fact that if you're lucky you'll end up mere feet from the glistening thighs of [insert favourite tennis player here] as they go about their work.

One thing that many people don't realise is that most of the players have to use the same pathways as the general public, so there's a very good chance that you'll see your favourite player en-route to a match and most will stop for autographs/photos/pledges of undying love etc.

It is without doubt the best sporting event I've ever attended and would say it's worth whatever effort you can stand in order to get tickets.

Wow, Jay_G, it's great to hear about rubbing elbows with the players. And I agree that the queuing itself can be an experience.

309pbg - Be sure to send in for the lottery between Aug 1 and Dec 15 this year for 2010 tickets. http://aeltc2009.wimbledon.org/en_GB...ts/ballot.html

Cries_Van_Notebook - I hope you enjoyed it. Did you see any good matches?

Anyone else have any luck with the ballot/lottery or queuing?

Thanks Cate!
Thin- question same as Cates, did you see any well known players?

I remember seeing Hana Mandlikova play. I can't remember what year that was. I am almost positive she played Carling Basset, the Canadian beer heiress.

I also saw Ile Nastasi play one year. He was fabulous.

My mother is from Old Windsor, so she grew up going to Wimbledon. She had a tennis racket cover signed by Rod Laver.

Thin

Yup, I've got Billie-Jean Moffitt's autograph on a programme from 1964 before she became B-J King. And John Newcombe's. Saw Rod Laver play in the first Open Wimbledon. Great days. Saw Roy Emerson win a set from Nicky Pilic 14-12 in the days before tie-breaks. Went to school in Wimbledon you see, and had two tennis-mad parents who played well into their 50s.

I'm retiring in a few months, really must try go again to see all the improvements. Like the 10 million GBP sun-shade.

The best way to get tickets is to know somebody affiliated to the LTA. Sadly I don't any more.

We've been about 10 times in the past 15 years or so - we live about an hour's drive away from Wimbledon and it's a highlight of the summer for us. This year we were on No.1 Court on Day 1 and saw 4 great matches. We've mostly obtained our tickets through the public ballot, but on other occassions we've taken advantage of:-

(a) the unplanned "people's days" they have when bad weather forced an extra day's play, or
(b) by going up late in the day, getting a general admission ticket and then buying re-sold tickets for the show courts.

Option (b) continues to be a real possibility if you have the flexibility to go at short notice. Many ticketholders leave Wimbledon in the late afternoon (about 5pm) and their tickets are collected at the gate and later re-sold. When we were there on Monday, No.1 court was less than 25% full by 6pm, which meant plenty of seat availability to see a WS first round match between Mel South and Mathilde Johansson. In my experience this is generally the case especially in the first week - UNLESS a certain Mr A Murray is playing that particular day, in which case you've got almost no chance of getting a re-sold ticket.

I lived in Southfields (where "wimbledon" actually is) and I bloody hated it.

Any particular reason Cholmondley?

(I fear the blue touch paper has been lit, so I'll retire to a safe distance...)

No decent boozers. Or even indecent ones.

(I used to live down the hill from there).

No decent boozers. Or even indecent ones.>>>

Ain't that the truth! There are two -one's full of council estate scum the other Sith Effrikans.

Really the truth is that it's tiny and can't cope with the crowds.

Hi everyone i just got back from a month in Europe and i was able to queue and get tickets for Day 5 of Wimbledon 2009 !!! It was the best experience ever watching Federer and Djokovic on centre court ...

Ok here are some tips :

1. I arrived at Wimbledon Park carpark 10 at 5pm and i was given a queue card numbered 334. The first 500 ppl for that day had a choice in chosing if they wanted show court tickets or not. To get there, take the Tube to Wimbledon park tube station. From there, ask a conductor how to get to wimbledon park. There will be signs put up for you to follow and its rather straight forward. If you look out the window on the right of the train from Southfields to Wimbledon Park, you will be able to see long lines of people and tents as the train goes pass Wimbledon car park 10.

2. Bring a tent and sleeping bag. I didnt have one and froze to death at night. I didnt get a wink of sleep. But i must say the centre court tickets were well worth it.

3. Bring food. Its really nice sitting out in the sun and eating your late lunch / dinner. If you dont bring any food, there are some grocery stores nearby which you can walk to to get drinks. As for food, different restaurants will be giving out leaflets, selling chinese food, pizza or italian food. You can just order through them and most will deliver to the park gates.

4. Bring an umbrella.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask . I'll try to help with my limited experience.

Great info. Hubby and I are invited to a family wedding in France next June 26th and since he's always wanted to see a Wimbledon final this would be a great chance to combine the trips. A week in France and a week in/at Wimbeldon. Do you suggest we stay in London?

I was there in the 1996 women's finals when Steffi Graf beat Arancha Sanchez Vicario in 3 sets... I had arrived that morning and had co-workers who asked for various shirts and merchandise. I just planned on walking out and getting a grounds pass.... along the way from the tube, there was a man selling a ticket. I thought finals started at 1pm, so was planning on arriving about 1:30/1:45, but it turns out they started at 2pm.

I had no clue if it was counterfeit or what, but I took a chance - paid 100 pounts. The entire time I was walking in through the gates, I was waiting for a tap on the shoulder and an 'excuse me, miss, that ticket is no good'. Nope. I was in the 3rd row on the service line!!!

There was a German photographer next to me and the only thing I could figure is that his press credentials got messed up (he had some serious camera equipment) and he had to buy a ticket - but needed only one. I lucked into that other one.

Its one of those really cool experiences that I remember... also I believe the scalping gods smiled upon me and I try to remember that when I have extra tickets to sell!