Latest news with #JamesMendelssohn
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Wimbledon queue boss reveals what the infamous queue is REALLY like - and how to make sure you get those sought-after tickets
Come rain or shine, the infamous queue at Wimbledon is one thing every tennis fanatic hoping to get onto the hallowed courts of SW1 has to endure. And now the steward who manages the championship's queue has lifted the lid on the military operation that processes thousands of people a day. James Mendelssohn, 67, first stepped foot inside the All England Lawn Tennis Club around 50 years ago when he took part in a school tennis tournament. After retiring from a successful career in business he returned 12 years ago and was promoted to chief steward two years ago. He works across the Wimbledon estate but says the queue is one of his favourite spots - and he has even become good friends with many repeat visitors. James, a father-of-two from Thursley, Surrey, said: 'The queue is just fantastic. 'Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam where a true tennis fan can be guaranteed a show court ticket on the day. 'It's a fascinating thing and also a huge part of Wimbledon's tradition, which is important. James Mendelssohn (pictured), 67, is the man in charge of the queue system and describe the military operation it takes to keep it running 'People absolutely love the queue and the atmosphere is just fantastic. 'We've actually had people who get disappointed when they get inside as they've enjoyed the queue so much.' Wimbledon reserves 500 tickets for Centre Court, Court 1 and Court 2 every day and releases thousands more 'ground passes' which grant general access. 'So if you are in those first 1,500 people, you will get inside,' revealed James. James says people arrive at the queue throughout the night - often coming straight from Heathrow Airport. 'We allow people to arrive 24/7 - but we have a system that ensures it is fair,' he explained. 'If you were to arrive at 6am and look at the thousands in the field, you would think, 'How on earth are we going to get everyone into the grounds in the right order?' 'But I can guarantee you I will get everyone into the ground in the right order. 'This is because when people arrive they are sent to the end of the queue and given a numbered and dated card. 'People will then enter the grounds in exactly this order - and stay in this order in the queue. 'It is a 24/7 operation we are running. And of course it's a very British thing - the queue.' At around 5am, James and the other stewards will wake up those who have camped and at 7am the full process begins. Tickets start being sold at 8:30am and people are moved into a 'queue village'. At 10am, people start to be let inside. James says the size of the queue varies every single day - typically influenced by the day of the week, the weather, who's playing, and 'whether the District Line is running'. 'The questions I get asked the most are, 'What time should I get there?' and 'What time will I be inside?' he said. 'But it really does change every day.' Discussing his tips on how to improve your chances of getting inside the courts, James said: 'First, before you leave, you should always check the Wimbledon app and website. 'That will tell you if the queue is nearing capacity - and if you won't have any chance. 'Otherwise, I'll put it like this: we have people sleeping overnight in the field. 'We have people who arrive overnight on a transatlantic flight and rush down at 5am. 'You have to get there early.' James said there are plenty of people who arrive at the queue fully prepared - but others who are less clued-up. He said: 'We have some groups who arrive highly-organised with all the supplies. 'They've got tents, big beautiful banquets, and everything you'd need to enjoy the day. 'Others haven't quite thought things through and it can be amusing seeing people try to put up their tents.' Despite this, though, James said the staff at Wimbledon will always make it work - and make sure everyone has a great experience. He said: 'Our job as stewards is to enhance the overall guest experience so whatever happens - we'll make it work. 'We're here to make sure everyone has a great day - because it is a fantastic event.' Over the years he has become friends with some of the crowd who return to queue every year. 'They really have become our friends,' he said. 'There's a lovely lady who comes every year with her twins - who are now 12 - and she always has a great time. 'Last year she actually sent me a package - which I was immediately called to collect as the staff needed to search it. 'She had sent these delicious homemade brownies. 'And that response from a very grateful guest - that relationship is what makes the whole thing so very special.'
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tennis fans keep spirits high in the Wimbledon queue
Wimbledon's queue is a key part of the tournament's return each fans camp overnight or arrive in the early hours of the morning in the hope of getting hold of tickets for specific courts or for a grounds steward James Mendelssohn, from Thursley in Surrey, previously told the BBC some people returned year on year to the queue and were like "old friends".More than 10,000 people descended on Wimbledon Park for the chance to get tickets before 2025's first day of play. Those arriving at SW19's Wimbledon Park, adjacent to the All England Club, are given a numbered queue card on arrival and a team of stewards manages entry in the order people have arrived.A limited number of centre court tickets are available for the first 10 days only, and availability for other courts varies throughout the tournament. So what brings people to the queue, in all weathers, and how do they keep their spirits up? We took an early morning trip to Wimbledon Park to find out Buckfield and Jade Jordan had travelled from Epsom and arrived at 05:00 umbrellas, a plastic groundsheet and "loads of binbags" they were sheltering from Monday morning's Buckfield said: "I've never been to Wimbledon in my life."I don't watch tennis, we're just here for the vibes." Katie Rose, who lives in Staines, and Matthew Bartkowski had taken a cab and brought pre-made pesto and mozzarella baguettes, crisps, and a "big carton of coffee" to keep them got a taxi at 4:15, Ms Rose said: "We're running off four hours sleep, so we're a bit tired." In Monday's morning's rain, Mr Bartkowski said: "The weather's not great but spirits are high. "Looking forward to the day, the sun's going to come out soon, we're keeping our fingers crossed." Deirdre Crawley-Moore from Oxted was queuing with her son Kerran Boylan."I did bring a waterproof but my son's wearing it because he didn't bring anything with him," she said."No umbrella, but so what?"Asked what else she had with her to keep her going, she joked: "Alcohol." Yousif AlKooheji, a former Sussex University student who previously lived in Brighton, arrived just before 05: a recently smashed bottle of win, he said he was in "more than good spirits" and had been "really excited" for the day."About 5:30 heard people popping some champagne, some prosecco," he added."We've had some girls having a dance along to Abba, I think people are in a good mood."Gemma and son Ethan from Guildford had arrived in the queue around 06:25 and had a queue ticket numbered just under 5,000."We're just looking forward to going in and enjoying the atmosphere," Gemma said. Michael, from Worthing, had camped from 23:00 BST on the previous evening but described his tent as "a bit ropey".He was not pinning his hopes on seeing anyone in particular at the tournament. "I'm looking forward to being around, being able to watch a few of the different games and get a bit of the atmosphere," he how does it feel getting to the front of the queue?Tom, from Windlesham, had parked just outside Putney and walked to Wimbledon Park, having queued from shortly after 06:00."It's awesome, we're dry which is the most important thing now," he said."We're looking forward to seeing some great tennis."
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'I have been queuing at Wimbledon for 12 years'
Every summer, one man is always stood right at the front of the Wimbledon steward James Mendelssohn, from Thursley in Surrey, has been managing the crowds waiting to enter one of the world's biggest tennis tournaments for 12 told Radio Surrey he is always happy to see "old friends" who join the queue year after year - and welcome new guests. But while some arrive well-prepared, he says others "are perhaps less good at looking at a weather forecast!". As the heatwaves of the last few weeks gave way to rain, numbers have been fluctuating, he although the weather "has kept a few people away", Mr Mendelssohn has a team of 200 stewards to keep the queues in how does he manage so many people and make sure all the visitors get in on time?"It's a very well-rehearsed system," he said. "People arrive at any time of the day or night, they're given a queue card which is numbered."That enables us to guarantee that whatever time you arrive, and - however many people you see milling around in the field - we will get guests into the ground in exactly the order they arrive." He said it takes a lot of organisation to manage so many people each day."It does, but it's been happening for years now. Every year we review it, we try and make some improvements."Because, at the end of the day, we want our guests to have a memorable experience at Wimbledon."And it is seeing so many enjoy the experience that has been a highlight for Mr Mendelssohn every year."We see new faces here obviously, but there are some old friends who come back year after year," he said."We know them, they know us, and it's great to see some old friends. They just love being part of the queue."I think it's seeing so many people who are really excited about Wimbledon."I mean, Wimbledon is the premier sporting event in the world, we believe."And there are people who are just excited to be here, it's part of their bucket list. "They love tennis."
