What's Really Special About Wimbledon 2022 - 8 interesting facts even if we are not physically there to watch live!
It's Wimbledon fever these 2 weeks! Whether or not you are a tennis fan, Wimbledon, a.k.a. The Championships, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, most prestigious, all players don strict white tennis gear and there's something unique about this year's edition!
1. Centre Court's Centenary Celebrations
This 135th edition will also mark the centenary of the inaugural championships staged at the Centre Court.
1,500 refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria have been invited to Wimbledon on Sunday as part of celebrations to mark the tennis venue’s 100-year anniversary. The centenary celebrations will take place on Centre Court on Sunday afternoon.
The centenary celebrations will also be marked with the release of a collection of limited-edition digital artworks of iconic Wimbledon moments from each decade since the opening of Centre Court, minted on blockchain and is available for purchase through a special ballot.
2. Ban on Russian and Belarusian Players
No Daniil Medvedev, no Aryna Sabalenka, no Andrey Rublev, no Victoria Azarenka. That's how bad the invasion of Ukraine is affecting the tennis scene; not just politics but almost everyone. Peace!
Russian WTA Player Natela Dzalamidze had to change her nationality to Georgian so that she can participate in Wimbledon and the Olympics.
3. No Ranking Points - not an issue!
ATP and WTA confirmed that there will be no ranking points for the players competing in Wimbledon 2022 - the first time! This has put off some players from participating, including Naomi Osaka. This does not deter most players from competing in this prestigious tournament, afterall, they compete because of glory and because they want to win the trophy, no?
4. Roger Federer is absent for the first time - boohoo!
We all know who this G.O.A.T. and tennis maestro is, but he isn't here on his favourite court surface. He still holds the most number of wins at Wimbledon - 8 times, in the open era. For comparison, Novak Djokovic has 6. Can we ever see Roger back on another edition of Wimbledon? Time will tell.
5. What's the black tiny tape on Serena Williams's face?
Fashionista? I thought it was eye-catching, like a pimple patch pasted non-symmetrically that all the more caught my attention. On closer look, it has some words/brand on it. Lo and behold, who would have thought that it is to aid her sinus problem through these sticky tapes called kinesiology tape, that many athletes paste them on their skin, usually over joints or muscles, as support. It may aid in stablising the injured area by lightly adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the tissues.
6. Will this be Andy Murray's last Wimbledon?
Andy Murray has been plagued with injuries and has not played in Wimbledon since 2017. Unfortunately he lost to John Isner in the 2nd round. Will we see him again next year at his home turf?
7. Daria Saville - a new WTA Player?
Nah. It's Australian WTA Player, Daria Gavrilova, who got married last year to fellow Australian tennis player, Luke Saville. Therefore, she now takes on her husband's family name. A pity she lost in the first round.
8. Everyday is tournament day in the 2 weeks of Wimbledon - even on Middle Sunday!
2022 also marks the first year that Wimbledon is planned to take place over 14 days, with the introduction of play on the Middle Sunday to the permanent schedule for the first time. Not sure if players and working staff will rejoice over this but tennis fans around the world must be jumping up and down - everyday can watch Wimbledon!
Who will be crowned Champion this year? There will be a new Champion for the Ladies' Singles for sure! Will Novak Djokovic defend his title, or can Rafael Nadal be on his way to win a Calendar Slam?