Thousands queue for Wimbledon opening day
The sight of thousands of people queuing in the hope of gaining entry to the grounds is one of the most celebrated quirks of Wimbledon, a tournament renowned for its strong ties to tradition.While the influence of technology increases in sport, with this the first Championships without the presence of line judges, the sense of community and camaraderie apparent in the queue continues to not only endure, but thrive.Despite long waits - those at the front of the queue arrived as early as noon on Friday to claim their spot - and soaring temperatures before the first day of action at SW19, there are few grumbles of discontent with the process as more than 10,000 people arrived at Wimbledon Park before the first day of play."It's just nice to be able to take time out of everything else. It's like being in a parallel universe," says Vicki Broad, from Neath in Wales, who along with husband Nigel are first in this year's queue."We've met people from all over the world, just chatting away and getting to know people."It's a community of people, all with a common goal. There are never any problems in the queue, the stewards run it so well."You know, the world's crazy at the moment. But it's like you take time out from that and you're all just talking about tennis, you're talking about where you come from, how long it took you to get here, how long you're staying for, it's just lovely."
Queuing for access to the grounds and the limited show court tickets available - 500 tickets are available for Centre Court, Court One and court two - usually begins in Wimbledon Park the night before each day's play.Before the opening day, however, eager fans get into position as much as a couple of days before.Entry is permitted until the 42,000 capacity is reached and the All England Club advised people to stop travelling once the queue exceeded 10,000 on Monday morning. Linda Jacobs flew in from Houston, Texas on Thursday night with her friend Aleta to arrive second in this year's queue, after being fifth last year."If you're going to fly that far, you want to make sure you get a really wonderful ticket!" said Jacobs."This is, like, the most genteel festival you can ever come to. It makes you love England. Everyone is so nice. You guys queue so well. I just fell in love with it when I came here."
Being able to watch a specific player offers huge motivation for many in the queue.Jorge, visiting with friends from Madrid, said: "We were here last year to watch Carlos [Alcaraz] in the first round and our motivation for queueing was to see him play on Centre Court on the opening day."It's an incredible experience, very unique, obviously. Camping here just to get tennis tickets I think is something that you can only do here in Wimbledon."The first time I came, I thought it was crazy. Then I decided to do it thinking, 'oh, my God, this is crazy'. Then, since we did it, we can't stop. You meet people from everywhere and it's just a great experience. We love it."
Life as a dedicated tennis superfan
The days of queuing for tickets are long behind perhaps the most famous fans in tennis - Jannik Sinner's faithful Carota Boys.The group of childhood friends from Turin have regularly attended the world number one's matches over the past two years dressed as carrots, after Sinner once ate one during a match in 2019.As their fame has increased they have been supplied with tickets by tournament organisers, sponsors and even Sinner, with whom they have direct communication on WhatsApp and frequently send good luck messages.
For Wimbledon this year they will have their own watch-along show in Italy alongside players and celebrities - but that will change should Sinner reach the final and potentially contest another epic major final against Carlos Alcaraz."It is something really crazy, it started as just a joke between us as friends and we never thought it could become something this big. Now we are really famous in the tennis world. It's like we became professional supporters or something like that," says Alessandro."We have a good relationship with Jannik. Sometimes we chat on WhatsApp, sometimes we meet him during the tournaments, one time we played tennis with him."He appreciates us because we came out before he became the player he is now, but also we respect the tennis atmosphere - it is something in his style, he is a polite and really humble guy."It's really difficult. In 2024 we went to 10 different tournaments and all the Grand Slams. We are always trying to find a way to follow him. It's not easy, but we do our best."
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Glasgow Times
25 minutes ago
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Wimbledon briefing: Day two recap, Wednesday's order of play and Brits to watch
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The Herald Scotland
25 minutes ago
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Jalen Ramsey trade winners, losers: Steelers, Fitzpatrick, Dolphins
On a day when the winners and losers are usually reserved for Wimbledon, we've got quite a few more to sort through ... WINNERS Jalen Ramsey Not only did the three-time All-Pro engineer his departure from Miami, the Steelers also gave Ramsey a $1.5 million raise - he'll be paid $26.6 million in 2025, according to ESPN and the NFL Network. He jumps to a team seemingly in better position to contend as he heads into the 10th season of his exceptional pro career, and - as a defensive back - it certainly doesn't hurt to play behind a pass rush that includes T.J. Watt (presumably), Cam Heyward an Alex Highsmith, among others. TRADE GRADES: Report cards for Steelers, Dolphins following blockbuster Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith The Steelers' new quarterback and offensive coordinator, respectively, welcome another weapon with the arrival of Jonnu Smith. Whether it was his protection, body, age or scheme (and maybe all of the above), Rodgers spent much of last season getting the ball out quickly and throwing down the seams in the intermediate part of the field - which means Jonnu Smith could get a steady of diet balls. And he should hit the ground running given this will be his third stint playing for Arthur Smith, who also coached him in Tennessee and Atlanta and now has another component for his attack on whom he can rely. Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan Much has been made of the fact that Tomlin, who's about to embark on his 19th season as Pittsburgh's head coach has never suffered a losing season ... nor has the man who took the Steelers to the Super Bowl twice in his first four years won a playoff game since the 2016 postseason. But you can't accuse him or Khan, entering his fourth season as general manager, of operating conservatively in recent months. Monday's deal follows the long-awaited signing of Rodgers and trade for WR DK Metcalf plus the departure of WR George Pickens in recent months, among other moves. TBD whether a more aggressive approach translates into a deeper playoff run, but it does seem to indicate a shifting mindset for a team that might up hosting a very eventful draft in 2026 - regardless of what happens in 2025, which is likely to be Rodgers' final ride. DK Metcalf All due respect to Robert Woods, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and others, but Metcalf remains the only bona fide wideout threat on this roster - though it's still worth wondering if Khan makes a run at an unsigned veteran like Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper. 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Minkah Fitzpatrick It's rare to see a Round 1 pick dealt midway through his second season, but Fitzpatrick wanted out of Miami in 2019 - he didn't feel like his abilities and role with the team aligned - yet now he's reunited with GM Chris Grier, who drafted him in the first place. Miami certainly had a hole to fill in its lineup after losing S Jevon Holland in free agency this year, so Fitzpatrick certainly helps from that standpoint. But he'll no longer get to leverage a Watt-led pass rush. And despite being a five-time Pro Bowler, including each of the past three seasons, Fitzpatrick hasn't been producing the big plays that forged his reputation years ago - generating just one turnover, total, since the start of the 2023 campaign. Tua Tagovailoa Smith led Miami with 88 catches last season. Now a quarterback who's eager to distribute the ball but is also prone to concussions, has lost his security blanket. Maybe this will make more sense down the line, but for right now ...? Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel Miami's GM and head coach, respectively, seem to have authored a transaction that doesn't exactly smack of "win now" - though it was clear they had to move on from Ramsey, who was ready to depart. And much as Steelers fans might be desperate for postseason success, the Dolphins haven't won a playoff game since 2000 - the longest drought in the league. Owner Stephen Ross gave his leadership a vote of confidence after last season's 8-9 finish but also said "(C)ontinuity in leadership is not to be confused with an acceptance that status quo is good enough. We will take a hard look at where we have fallen short and make the necessary changes to deliver our ultimate goal of building and sustaining a winning team that competes for championships." Hard to see how this trade cools the other kind of Florida heat Grier and McDaniel, who have now lost four team captains this offseason, are trying to beat. And the reaction one of their former players, RB Raheem Mostert, had to the trade speaks (to some level) on how things could unfold ... Hot take: Be a Pro-bowler on the Dolphins, get treated like sh*t. Happy for my guys though! GO BALL OUT!! — Raheem Mostert (@RMos_8Ball) June 30, 2025 Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, (Shedeur Sanders?) After the Baltimore Ravens recently signed CB Jaire Alexander, the AFC North now welcomes another elite corner with the arrival of Ramsey, a Pro Bowler in seven of his nine NFL seasons. It's certainly not the most welcome development for the division's high-profile quarterbacks. Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr. and Beanie Bishop Jr. It remains to be seen how Pittsburgh's lineup shakes out, specifically as to whether Ramsey, always a fantastic ball hawk, gets a look at free safety or not. But that seems unlikely given a trade of this magnitude - and especially so since the Steelers have experienced players like Miles Killebrew and Juan Thornhill available to step into Fitzpatrick's role. And if Ramsey does remain at corner, it begs the question of what happens to recently signed Slay and Porter, a second-round pick in 2023. All of them play predominantly on the outside, Ramsey's 185 snaps in the slot last season nearly double the total of Slay, who spent 2024 in Philadelphia, and Porter combined in 2024. But is a 30-year-old star going to live in the slot, which was typically manned by Bishop, an undrafted rookie in 2024? It's a very solid bet that Ramsey will operate however he's most comfortable in 2025, and then the others fall into place as circumstances dictate - which may or not benefit them from an individual perspective. AFC contenders? Are the Steelers suddenly a bona fide Super Bowl 60 threat? That will likely be primarily dictated by whatever version of Rodgers they're getting. But adding Ramsey and Smith also undoubtedly makes a team that's qualified for postseason four of the past five seasons more formidable. And even if Pittsburgh doesn't complete its "Stairway to Seven" in 2025, the Steelers are starting to increasingly look like a team that could ambush one of the conference favorites - Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore - along the way while getting Tomlin that next playoff win he's been awaiting for nearly a decade. Los Angeles Rams The presumed favorites to reacquire Ramsey's services - he played 3 1/2 seasons in LA, starting in 2019, and was a key performer for the Super Bowl 56 champions in 2021 - a team that may have the best chance to dislodge the Eagles on the NFC side of the bracket in 2025 couldn't find a way to broker a reunion. Doesn't mean the defending NFC West titlists aren't still a clear and present danger to the reigning Super Bowl champions but sure seems like adding a familiar star like Ramsey would have nicely furthered the cause. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
The Herald Scotland
35 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Wimbledon briefing: Day two recap, Wednesday's order of play and Brits to watch
Here, the PA news agency looks back at Tuesday's events and previews what is to come on day three of the Championships. Draper's dream start Jack Draper (right) eased through his first-round match (Adam Davy/PA) Jack Draper was given the most comfortable of passages through to the second round of Wimbledon when opponent Sebastian Baez pulled out injured. The Argentinian twice consulted medical staff for what appeared to be a right leg issue after slipping early in the second set and called it quits trailing 6-2 6-2 2-1. Draper had been in control from the moment the contest started on Court One and, while a short outing in the heat might have seemed optimal, the 23-year-old said: 'I wanted to play a bit longer in all honesty.' Seeds make swift exits Coco Gauff was the biggest first-round casualty (Ian Walton/AELTC) Four of the top 10 players in both the men's and women's draw are out the tournament already. Women's second seed Coco Gauff's defeat on Court One on Tuesday night saw her follow Jessica Pegula (seeded three), Zheng Qinwen (five) and Paula Badosa (nine) through the exit door. On the men's side, third seed Alexander Zverev and Lorenzo Musetti (seven) were both beaten the day after Holger Rune (eight) and Daniil Medvedev (nine) were sent packing. Brit watch Oliver Tarvet will take on Carlos Alcaraz (Mike Egerton/PA) Monday's record-breaking seven British winners all return to the court on Wednesday looking to reach the third round. Emma Raducanu faces a tough test against 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in the prime time slot on Centre Court, while British number two Katie Boulter and number three Sonay Kartal both take on unseeded opponents after headline-grabbing first-round wins. Qualifier Oliver Tarvet has the most eye-catching match against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, while Cameron Norrie will play 12th seed Frances Tiafoe and Arthur Fery and Billy Harris face Italian Luciano Darderi and Portugal's Nuno Borges respectively. Match of the day Emma Raducanu memorably beat Marketa Vondrousova in 2021 (Adam Davy/PA) Emma Raducanu's second-round clash with Marketa Vondrousova will be a real draw on day three as two former grand slam champions meet at a relatively early stage of the tournament. Raducanu won the US Open aged just 18, prior to which she made her main-draw Wimbledon debut during the same season and beat Vondrousova in a memorable match on her way to the third round. Vondrousova, who won Wimbledon in 2023, comes into the tie in good grass form having won the Berlin Open earlier this month and will be hoping to turn the tables on the British star. Order of play Centre Court (from 1.30pm) Aryna Sabalenka (10 v Marie Bouzkova Oliver Tarvet v Carlos Alcaraz (2) Emma Raducanu v Marketa Vondrousova Court One (from 1pm) Cameron Norrie v Frances Tiafoe (12) Katie Boulter v Solana Sierra Taylor Fritz (5) v Gabriel Diallo Weather Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime, with a maximum temperature of 27C, according to the Met Office.
