Watching your Words at Wimbledon
Wimbledon is unique like no other tennis tournament in the world. It brings with it not only a tennis tournament but a culture dating back decades, a culture where spectators and participants are expected to follow formal rules and practices of behaviour.
In our final look at Wimbledon we look at the manners and ways to speak while others play the cultured game of tennis.
How to speak and act:
Official etiquette of Wimbledon, dictates that players be addressed by a prefix title of Mr or Mrs and the participant’s surname. Although this tradition has largely died in the men’s game, apart from addressing an umpire for a replay, it remains strong in the woman’s tournament.
Old School: Prior to 2009, female competitors were referred to by their husbands name and surname. Eg: Match point to Mrs E.D. Brown.
Participants are expected to bow and curtsy to the queen, when seated in the royal box, upon arriving or leaving centre court.
Old School: Participants were expected to Bow and Curtsy to the royal family, regardless of whether the queen was present or not, prior to 2003.
Spectators are often seen to be eating strawberries and cream in morning sessions of Wimbledon. This dates back to old traditions of tennis spectating.
Old School: Eating strawberries and cream as a treat of tennis watching. Would your behaviour cut it at Wimbledon? Let us know below OR on Twitter @gem_media.
In : Tennis