We both actually really wanted to but with how busy we've been missing a days work to queue at 5am and be there all day was a stretch. We figured we'd just try our chances after work one evening. I walked in at 6pm with no queue and was given a Court 2 ticket for the same price as the grounds ticket I intended to buy, £10. Bonus. Went over and watched about half an hour of men's doubles.
Tennis is actually a lot more entertaining than I gave it credit for, even watching a bit on TV the last few days was alright. What I enjoyed as much as the play though was the ball boys and girls. They have a very strict routine steeped in tradition that while being interesting is also hilarious to watch.
After damp grass delayed play on Court 2 I wandered the grounds a bit watching a few games on the outer courts. There about around 15 of them so there was a lot to choose from. If one game was a little slow I could just wander to where a more entertaining person was screaming and moaning or yelling self congratulatory 'Come ons!'.
Gen got there a little after 7 and got in for a fiver, but was also told there was an extra match that night on Centre Court and to go to ticket resale. When people leave early they let someone know so their seats can be sold for charity. The resale booth is conveniently located next to the giant screen at the grass viewing area so you could get a grounds pass and just keep checking. We got great seats for £10 each.
We grabbed some food and rushed over just as a match between Tamira Paszek and Victoria Azarenka was starting. I was a little surprised they let us in with food but they did so we munched away and took it all in. At a break in play we were told there was no food allowed and we shouldn't have been let in, so I had to go back out to finish up and remember why I don't fit in anywhere posh.
Centre Court was cool to see, the level of play was quite obviously higher than the outer courts, and there were some proper looking people in the royal box, but I didn't see any Middletons.
After the first match we got to see the last half of one that was rained out earlier between Agnieszka Radwanska and Maria Kirilenko. Their match was a lot closer with a more reckless and entertaining style. We ended up getting close to 3 hours of play at Centre Court which was pretty awesome.
Chances are if we didn't live about a 15 minute walk from the grounds we never would have gone but I'm really glad that we just decided to give it a try after work because we got to see a lot and it's quite an iconic event.
-Justin
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