Match Point: Chapter 1498 unique style

Tradition, there is no doubt that this is the key word of Wimbledon, and it is also the tradition that Wimbledon maintains its advantage in the fierce competition of modern professional events. It was once considered a "pedantic and old" tradition, but it has been polished by time. Later, it evolved into a unique advantage of this event.

Of course, among the many traditions of Wimbledon, there is also an admirable and even awe-inspiring persistence——

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The most obvious difference from the other three Grand Slams is that the All England Club always insists on its own private position and refuses to be involved in the commercial torrent.

Firstly, apart from several major sponsors, Wimbledon’s main stadium is always spotless. Leaving aside the ever-changing technological products under the roof, from the outside, the venue looks the same as it did a hundred years ago —

In 2022, the 100th anniversary of the official use of Wimbledon Central Court, there were reporters taking pictures at that time. After a hundred years, the stadium has hardly changed, and the good tradition has been preserved until now.

Secondly, Wimbledon has always insisted that no billboards be placed around the court, that is, no advertisements will be published on the baffles behind the players and on both sides of the court, even the advertisements of major sponsors will not be placed here to ensure the "cleanliness" of the court. ", which is similar to the player's white jersey.

Thanks to this, Wimbledon's courts are very clean, and the color collision of fluttering white clothes and green grass can always bring the best visual experience.

In tennis, a highly commercialized sport, as the highest-level Grand Slam event, Wimbledon has been able to insist on zero billboards on site. It can be said that it is unbelievable. The clock used to time the race belongs to Rolex.

But that's what they've been doing for years.

The All England Club confiscated the yogurt cups carried by spectators because the yogurt was not produced by its official sponsor; the guide to eating, drinking and having fun in London distributed at the exit of the subway station was confiscated by the event security before it was opened, because any form of advertisement All were banned from entering.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that Wimbledon's stadium has always refused to be named.

In Melbourne, Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Hisense; in Paris, Philippe Chatier and Susan Lenglen; in New York, Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong Stadium, these named stadiums have become a special landscape.

But at Wimbledon, it's Center Court, Court One, Court Two, Court Three, and everything is kept simple.

To some extent, the insistence on tennis, the purity of the game, and the rejection of business are deeply imprinted in the bones of the All England Club. From the white jerseys to the billboards to the naming of the stadium, it can be seen in every aspect. .

It is also for this reason that Wimbledon's prize money is at the bottom of the four Grand Slams—

Take the 2015 men's singles championship bonus as an example, the Australian Open is 3.1 million Australian dollars, the French Open is 1.8 million euros, and Wimbledon is 1.88 million pounds.

Purely in terms of numbers, after exchange rate conversion, Wimbledon is slightly higher than the French Open, but after deducting the tax rate, the French Open is ahead of Wimbledon.

Over the years, the championship bonus of the US Open has been far ahead, and it is undoubtedly the most commercially successful event; the Australian Open has caught up after reform, and the upward momentum in bonuses in recent years is very gratifying; the French Open is third, and Wimbledon Be willing to keep the bottom position all the time—

Moreover, from all aspects, Wimbledon is not in a hurry to change this status quo. When the US Open and ATP/WTA year-end finals use the title of "renewing prize money records" to attract top players to participate and create topics, Wimbledon has always kept its pace.

It can be seen that Wimbledon is very satisfied with the status quo.

However, one surprising fact is that Wimbledon is the most profitable event of the four Grand Slams, and it has been on the throne for many years.

High broadcast fees, issuance of stadium bonds, and sales of souvenirs will all bring considerable income to the organizing committee, among which tradition plays an important role.

For example, the central court, because this court has countless heritages, the surrounding area of ​​the central court is often a souvenir that spectators must buy when they leave Wimbledon every year.

For example, strawberry cream, which is not a brand-new variety of strawberries, but strawberries with cream, has become an iconic traditional Wimbledon snack, and even a business card of this century-old event.

According to official statistics, in just two weeks, Wimbledon will consume nearly three tons of strawberries and 7,000 liters of cream. Even if the price of cream strawberries for ten strawberries has risen to 2.5 pounds, the supply is still in short supply.

It is said that in the distant 1884, creamy strawberries were already a major feature of the event, and it is another tradition that has continued for so many years.

It can be seen that the inheritance of traditional culture has penetrated into every aspect of Wimbledon. This history is exactly what the other three Grand Slams do not have. Therefore, when other events have to innovate in the fierce competition of the commercial society To keep pace with the times, Wimbledon is still conscientiously continuing to improve its brand culture and firmly defend its unique position in the tennis world.

Today, the footsteps of professional tennis have covered every corner of the world. The four Grand Slams have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the nine masters competitions compete with each other, all year round, bringing tennis to thousands of spectators at close range.

Among them, Wimbledon is still the jewel above the crown. It cannot be said that Wimbledon is more successful than the other three Grand Slams, but there is no doubt that Wimbledon has a unique position precisely because This tradition and inheritance have created the supreme glory~www.mtlnovel.com~The All England Club, of course there is no reason to give up sticking to the tradition.

For fans and players, there is no doubt that Wimbledon is special.

Even Gao Wen was no exception.

Although he has never set foot on a grass court, and even though Gao Wen’s tennis enlightenment is not Wimbledon, every time he sees the players wearing white clothes like swordsmen galloping against the green grass, the retro and elegant picture is a kind of pure enjoyment, endowing tennis with The unique charm of this sport.

To be more precise, Wimbledon retains the original color of tennis, while possessing the power and speed of modern tennis, just like the aforementioned serve-and-volley players, who are already very good on clay and hard courts. Rare, but the grass still has a place for them.

Perhaps, the times are constantly changing and moving forward, and it has come to 2015 in a blink of an eye, but at Wimbledon, it still retains the tennis style of half a century or even a century ago. looking for.

Gao Wen is very, very much looking forward to playing on the grass. The one-month grass season is really exciting.

However, it's not easy—