In pictures: Wimbledon
- Published
On the first day of the 125th tennis tournament at Wimbledon, south-west London, the crowds began to gather early. Some had spent the night but all were prepared for typical Wimbledon weather, rain.
Rain was not to be, though, as the sun shone bright and the blue skies looked down on the courts and lush grass as the last preparations were made before the public were admitted.
Locals had mixed feelings about the annual invasion, but for some it presented an opportunity not to be missed
Inside Wimbledon the stalls and shops were also ready, with all sorts of merchandise on sale
The ball boys and girls paraded into the ground in neat lines
The public who had been waiting patiently were eventually allowed into the shrine of tennis
Some rushed to grab the first seats...
Others took the chance to relax in the sun on Henman Hill and enjoy some champagne...
While the eagle-eyed amongst them spotted last year’s men’s champion Rafael Nadal putting in a few last-minute practice strokes.
The question for some is can Andy Murray win the men’s singles and end the drought in British tennis? We’ll know in two weeks' time. For now, though, the crowds seem intent on just enjoying the weather and a very British event. Photographs by Phil Coomes
- Published20 June 2011
