How to Qualify for Wimbledon

Once a garden party tournament, Wimbledon has grown to be the ultimate in tennis championships. Since its beginnings in 1877, millions have dreamed of playing on the grass courts of All England Club. In the past seeding and now computer rankings have established which lucky players get to serve and volley before the Queen and the rest of the world. However, qualifying for Wimbledon is more than has been a point of controversy and compliment for many in the tennis world.

The History of Qualifying Requirements for Wimbledon

In 1877, the first Wimbledon Championships were held. In its field of 22 men, the qualifying was simply by agreeing to come and play this new sport of lawn tennis.

The popularity of the sport grew and by 1919, entrants, men and women, for the Wimbledon Champions were so numerous a new system had to be put in place to select the players, who would compete for the coveted Wimbledon championship. Entries were restricted to those who were nominated by their national associations and those nominated by individuals. A subcommittee was designated to review the individual nominations, while those recommended by national tennis associations were accepted without review.

In 1925, a qualifying competition, at Roehampton Club in London, took place to determine who would play. By 1927, a seeding system was put in place that would determine competitors. Since 1977, computer rankings were the primary method of determining seeded players and the selection for the Main Draw.

The Numbers

Wimbledon is one of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and because of its prestige is one of the most coveted titles in the world of tennis. For these Championships, 128 players, both women and men, vie for a spot. Those who are lucky enough to be automatically entered in the tournament are those players with seeded rankings. World rankings drive the seeds. The remainder must qualify.

Qualifying for the Championships
For British players, the Lawn Tennis Association selects a number of players based on their ranking and offers wild cards into the Main Draw. For these Brits rankings above 250 in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and/or the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) are crucial. Those not selected by these two methods have the opportunity to participate in the Wimbledon Qualifying Wild Card Play-off Event for a chance to earn a place in the qualifying draw.

For the remaining hopefuls, "Wild Card" entry into the tournament is the only way in. Those seeking an in to Wimbledon still need to have a world ranking and must submit their entry six weeks prior to the qualifying event.
Roehampton becomes the lawn of dreams! The qualifying or Wild Card tournament becomes a hotly competitive event which involves three rounds of play. At the end of this event, some 16 men and 12 women qualify for the singles play and four pairs of men's and ladies' doubles qualify as well.

Those junior players interested in taking part in the Junior Wimbledon Championships must undergo a similar process to qualify in the singles events. The interested junior players must have a respectable world ranking and then be recommended to play by their national tennis association.

Wimbledon is like the Oscars of the tennis world! From the Williams sisters to Borg to McEnroe, Wimbledon has been the center of the tennis world for more than a century. To qualify for Wimbledon is one of the greatest accomplishments of any tennis player.

For more information on Wimbledon or qualifying, check out the following websites:

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/about/guide/qualifying.html

http://www.lta.org.uk/Resources/Competition/Wimbledon%20Wild%20Cards%20for%20the%202010%20Championships.pdf

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Wimbledon.aspx