From forehands to fashion, Kidzworld checks out the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament - the world's biggest tennis event played on grass.
Wimbledon Tennis - History
The Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon have been played since 1877. The event is now the largest tennis tournament in the world played on grass and is attended by more than 500,000 people each year. Players from over 60 countries play in the two week event which starts at the end of June.
Wimbledon Tennis - 2006 Top Seeds
The top two seeds in the men's singles at Wimbledon are three-time defending champion, Roger Federer, French Open winner, Rafael Nadal, and American, Andy Roddick. The top womens' seeds include Amelie Mauresmo, three-time Wimbledon champion, Venus Williams and 2004 Wimbledon Champion, Maria Sharapova of Russia.
Wimbledon Tennis - Fashion
In the 127 year history of Wimbledon, the clothes worn by players to serve and volley have certainly changed. The first women to play in the tournament wore full length dresses, while men wore full length pants to play at Wimbledon until 1946. Now, players like Serena Williams, Maria Kirilenko and Maria Sharapova are making fashion statements everytime they step on to the court with tight-fitting body suits or exotic two-piece outfits. However, the fashion police at Wimbledon have cracked down in 2006 saying any player wearing low-cut tops, which show too much cleavage and aren't all white, will be sent home.
Wimbledon Tennis - Strange Facts
- The shortest person to play tennis at Wimbledon was Miss C.G. Hoahing who was just 4'9". She was once mistaken for a garden gnome and used to decorate the colorful flower gardens around Wimbledon's tennis courts.
- There are more than 200 ball boys and ball girls used to fetch tennis balls during Wimbledon. To become a ball boy or ball girl, you are required to train eight hours a week for four months before the start of the tournament.
- Wimbledon is the only major tennis tournament still played on grass. The lawn there is cut every day - just be glad your Dad doesn't care so much about your backyard.
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