Wimbledon 2024: A Tournament to Remember

For two special weeks each year, the eyes of tennis fans everywhere are glued to the legendary grass courts of SW19. Thousands of visitors each year brace the elements of British summertime, sometimes queuing overnight for a chance to witness the very best tennis players do battle in the sport’s oldest and most prestigious tournament. And whilst this year’s tournament was marred by rain delays and torrential downpours, which saw fan attendance take a notable hit, there was certainly no lack of storylines, drama, and enrapturing tennis on display.

With so many matches to play and so many stars in action, few things come close to the excitement and buzz of the first week at Wimbledon – and the first few days of the Championships did not disappoint.

The Men’s draw saw all the top-seeded favourites make it through to the second week

In the Ladies’ Singles, the shocks came thick and fast as numerous top-seeded players exited the draw, blasting the contest wide open for players hungry and talented enough to seize the opportunity. Before play even started, No.3 seed Aryna Sabalenka was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury, whilst defending champion and 6^th seed, Marketa Vondrousava, suffered an opening round defeat to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, the first time in 30 years that the women’s holder was knocked out in the first round at Wimbledon.

The second and third rounds saw even more high-profile defeats, including world No.1 Iga Światek, 5^th seed Jessica Pegula, and two-time finalist Ons Jabeur. Impressive early victories for No.2 Coco Gauff, 2022 champion, Elena Rybakina, and a revitalised Emma Raducanu saw them through to the fourth round.

In the Gentleman’s singles, hopes were high that Andy Murray could bounce back from injury and set up the perfect swansong to his remarkable career, beset by injury in recent years. Such a feat ultimately proved too much for the Scotsman, however, and the two-time Wimbledon champion would play his last match on Centre Court with his brother Jamie in the Men’s doubles, losing in straight sets in the first round to Australian pair Peers and Hijikata. What followed was a moving and fitting tribute to the man who ended the 77-year wait for a British champion, poignantly hosted by tennis and broadcasting legend Sue Barker.

Thankfully the Wimbledon crowd had other British hopefuls to cheer for, with day four of the Championships delighting fans with two high-profile all-Briton clashes on Court One. British No.1 Jack Draper was upset by an energetic Cameron Norrie following a riveting second-round clash between Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart. Elsewhere, Briton Sonay Kartal, ranked 298^th in the world, had a remarkable run to the third round, whilst Lily Miyazaki and Jacob Fearnley also recorded landmark wins.

The Men’s draw saw all the top-seeded favourites make it through to the second week, with No.1 Jannik Sinner coming through a memorable battle with Italian compatriot Matteo Berrettini, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz enduring a five-set thriller against American Francis Tiafoe and record-chasing Novak Djokovic calmly dismissing questions from the likes of Fearnley and Popyrin. Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard would also become the first lucky loser to reach the tournament’s fourth round since 1995.

While opponents struggled to contend with Paolini’s athleticism, her charisma and infectious smile captured the crowd at SW19

As the Championship entered its second week, the Ladies’ Singles draw continued to open up. Qualifier Lulu Sun stunned Emma Raducanu, the last Briton remaining, winning in three sets to become the first New Zealand woman to reach the quarterfinals in the Open Era. The highest seed remaining, Coco Gauff, made a hasty exit after an out-of-sorts performance against fellow American Emma Navarro, making 4^th seed Elena Rybakina the sure favourite after some ice-cold victories on her path to the semi-final.

In the background, two players were gaining momentum as they quietly made their way through the draw. 7^th seed Jasmine Paolini was looking to continue her breakout year after making the final at Roland Garros. Whilst opponents struggled to contend with Paolini’s athleticism, her charisma and infectious smile captured the crowd at SW19, seeing her become a tournament favourite, as well as the first Italian woman to reach a Wimbledon semi-final in the Open Era. Meanwhile, Czech 31^st seed Barbora Krejčiková was recording impressive victories of her own, battling past Danielle Collins and Jelena Ostapenko on her way to the semi-finals. Inspired by her late mentor and former champion, Jana Novotná, the 2021 French Open champion was beginning to believe that she was on her way to a second major after a tough period of illness and injury.

Getting the better of favourite Rybakina in the semi, she was set to face Paolini in the final after the Italian edged past Donna Vekic in a match which has rightfully been labelled as an instant classic, and the longest ladies’ semi-final in SW19 history. For the 8^th year in a row, there would be a new name etched into the famous Venus Rose Water Dish. Not since Serena Williams in 2016 has a woman retained their title, and indeed, this was the first Wimbledon since 1996 where neither of the Williams sisters were in the main draw.

Paolini looked nervous as she lost the first set to a ruthless Krejčiková, but came back revitalised to take the second, showcasing the energy and character which helped her win over the Wimbledon crowd. She stumbled again in the third however; Krejčiková dominated with her forehand to take advantage of Paolini’s vulnerable serve and win the break. Serving for the match in an exasperating final game, the Czech saved multiple break points from Paolini to finish the match in just under two hours and claim her second singles major – a twelfth when including her doubles tally. She adds her name to a long dynasty of Czech greats to lift the iconic trophy.

The final day of play was also one which marked significant British success

The Gentlemen’s Singles also provided exceptional clashes between the world’s best, with retaining champion Carlos Alcaraz putting in exceptional performances to take out challenges from Frenchman Ugo Humbert and big-serving American Tommy Paul. A tantalising semi-final awaited between the Spaniard and Daniil Medvedev, who took out top seed Sinner in a nervy four-hour classic on Centre. Despite taking the first set, Medvedev struggled to find the answers to Alcaraz’s spellbinding selection of shots, eventually losing out in four sets, and later describing the 21-year-old as the “toughest opponent” he’s ever faced.

Despite Sinner’s exit, Italian fans had another exciting young prospect to root for in the semi-final in the form of 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated Taylor Fritz to record his best-ever result in a major. This match would mark the 37^th five-set match of this year’s championships, the most of any major in the Open Era.

Unfortunately for Musetti, he would next face a determined Novak Djokovic, who had looked near faultless in his run to the semis. The Serb beat the Italian in straight sets, setting up an eye-watering repeat of last year’s iconic matchup.

Could the second seed reverse that result to claim a record-breaking 25th grand slam singles title? Or would the new king of Centre Court defend his crown and become just the sixth man to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year?

Alcaraz stunned the seven-time champion by immediately going a break up and then doubling his advantage via an uncharacteristic Djokovic double fault. Leaving the Serb flatlined with his combination of drop volleys and powerful forehand winners, Alcaraz stormed into a 6-2, 6-2 lead, in what Tim Henman described as an “annihilation”.

Whilst showing signs of nerves in the third, failing to serve out the match at 5-4, Alcaraz came out the victor from the tiebreak to hold on to his title and win his fourth career major, something Federer, Nadal or indeed Djokovic had failed to achieve at the same age.

The final day of play was also one which marked significant British success. Alfie Hewett described it as “the best day” after dominating Spain’s Martin de la Puente to take his first Wheelchair Singles title and complete his career Grand Slam, before proceeding to also take the doubles title soon after with fellow Briton Gordon Reid.

Britain’s Henry Patten also claimed glory alongside Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara in the Men’s Doubles with an exhilarating victory over Australian 15^th seeds Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson. In the Women’s, there was even more Czech jubilation as Katerina Siniaková lifted the trophy alongside American partner Taylor Townsend.

Wimbledon 2024 provided new characters to cheer, familiar old favourites, and hours upon hours of exceptional tennis matchups between the world’s best, vying to lift the trophy of the sport’s most esteemed and historic tournament. In spite of the rain, the past two weeks have certainly brightened up the days of fans and visitors alike with the stories, strength, and passion displayed on the prestigious grass of SW19. Until next year.