THE FASTEST SERVE WAS 240 KPH
When we think of great servers, our minds are drawn to stars like Federer, Roddick and Pete Sampras, but the fastest serve recorded at Wimbledon was actually achieved by American Taylor Dent. In a 2010 match, Dent served a 240 kmph rocket to Novak Djokovic. Earlier that year, Dent also set a record at Roland Garros – he wasn’t a household name, but Dent was a hard server and no slouch as a player, peaking at 21st in the rankings.
THE LONGEST SPONSORSHIP IN SPORTS HISTORY
Did you know that Wimbledon’s relationship with Slazenger is the longest in sports history? The British sporting company started supplying balls to the championship in 1902 and hasn’t stopped since.
THE YOUNGEST WINNER? JUST 15 YEARS OLD!
In 1887, Charlotte Dod won the championship at just 15 years old, and went on to retain her title for five years in a row, before losing it at the ripe old age of twenty. Charlotte wasn’t just a tennis star – in addition to her Wimbledon exploits, she won a silver in archery at the 1908 Olympics, won the British Amateur Golf Championship in 1904 and competed with the national field hockey team.
On the men’s side, the youngest winner was German Boris Becker, who was just 17. Although he was older than Charlotte Dod, the feat may be even more impressive, as he won in 1985, competing against highly paid, well-trained professionals. Becker was also the first unseeded champ and the first German to win Wimbledon.
The Champions Climb To See Family In The Stands
Like strawberries and cream, the Queue and all-white outfits, the champion’s climb to the players’ box to celebrate his victory with his closed ones has become a tradition at Wimbledon. It all started with Pat Cash back in 1987. Since then, 14 players have scaled terraces to the players’ box to embrace their family and coaches. The most unexpected – and out of character – climb was probably Sampras‘ when he beat Pat Rafter in 2000 and broke Roy Emerson’s Grand Slam record.