
via Imago
Image credits: Wimbledon/Instagram

via Imago
Image credits: Wimbledon/Instagram
Earlier this month, it was reported that Wimbledon would generate “more than half a billion dollars in revenue” for the 2025 edition. The grass major has turned into a guaranteed, money minting machine for the All England Club. It becomes evident from the fact that last year’s event pulled in an estimated $555 million. With the nearly 150-year-old tournament becoming a force to reckon with, it was obvious for the organizers to consider expansion. And the massive plan, amounting to $270 million, finally got a much-needed green light to set things in motion. However, it seems like the future dream will come at a cost. Speaking of which, a renowned figure has now expressed his unfiltered thoughts.
Wimbledon’s huge expansion plan was first revealed several years ago. Interestingly, the expansion aims to triple Wimbledon’s footprint. The overhaul will see the addition of a new 8,000-seat stadium on the grounds of previous Wimbledon Park Golf Club. Not to mention the construction of 39 new courts. This way, even the qualifying rounds will be held inside the Wimbledon area. So far, they have taken place in South London at Roehampton. But, the potential expansion has become a subject of scrutiny, with opposition rallying strong through the Save Wimbledon Park campaign.
Sharing his views on the expansion project, insider Jon Wertheim made his stance very clear on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast. He began, “I am kind of fascinated by this whole topic. But for a while, one of my takes on Wimbledon was, ‘How much money they passed up and they didn’t get into the naming rights game and they didn’t have so many sponsors, and you don’t see the back walls plastered.’ And all of a sudden, this looks like pretty savvy move from a business perspective. I mean this event is going to absolutely change.” Additionally, he also pointed out the timeline regarding the project’s completion. “This isn’t gonna happen tomorrow. I mean they are talking early 2030s.”
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Wimbledon – Flight over the famous Tennis courts – aerial view over the Tennis courts – LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 27, 2024 Wimbledon – Flight over the famous Tennis courts – aerial view over the Tennis courts – LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 27, 2024 LicenseRF 21740056 Copyright: xZoonar.com/ÊrikxLattweinx 21740056
He admired how the grass major has been the center of attraction for years now. “One of these bucket list experiences but it’s pretty crowded. And if there’s a way to allow more people to experience Wimbledon, people are spending the night camping out on a field in order to experience this. If this (expansion) creates more opportunities for people to enjoy Wimbledon. I mean, obviously, the bigger picture for tennis is, this fits into some of the arms race among the four majors. And I think Wimbledon’s going to lurch significantly ahead now.”
On top of that, this time, Wimbledon experienced its hottest ever-star. Spectators who were camping outside felt a need for seeking a shade and were constantly reaching for water bottles. Hence, with the construction of more courts at the SW19, the authorities are also looking to provide better amenities to people in order to beat the oppressive heat. Wertheim mentioned, “I mean not just in terms of square footage but also just amenities now and the hospitality picture will change and the fact that the qualifying rounds will be on site will turn this into a three-week event the way US Open is. And also I think this is just another indication that the four majors are really the coins of the realm for tennis.” After the planned development, it will be “a three-week tournament basically.”
But what about the locals residing in the nearby area? Especially the location where the dream project will take place. Wertheim knows it will be a huge challenge “for the neighbors who are very unhappy about this.” For the next few years, “they’re going to have dump trucks outside their house for the next five years.” However, there’s the other side too. Which is? “I think, sort of big picture, it’s good for Wimbledon, it’s good for the common fan. Not just for balance sheets but the average fan will now have a lot more opportunity to experience Wimbledon. I think it’s kind of inevitable.”
Wertheim commended the Wimbledon’s magic that still captivates millions of fans. Per him, “the trick Wimbledon seems to master so well, the needle thread, is keeping the tradition, keeping everything that’s special but also growing with the times.”
This year’s edition was a huge success. But guess what? the 2025 grass major had its fair share of controversial moments too.
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Wimbledon’s failed moments paint a bitter picture
For the uninitiated, this year’s edition saw no actual line judges. The electronic line calling (ELC) technology was at the forefront instead. While it was expected to alleviate human errors, the results weren’t that positive to say the least. For example, during the QF encounter between Taylor Fritz and Karen Khachanov, a call was made mid-point. That, too, when the ball had landed inside the baseline. As a result, the chair umpire had to replay the point.
Later, the event came up with a statement on this blunder. “The player’s service motion began while the BBG (ball boys and girls) was still crossing the net and therefore the system didn’t recognize the start of the point. As such, the Chair Umpire instructed the point be replayed.” But this wasn’t the only case featuring technology’s fault in giving accurate verdicts.
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On the WTA side, even Emma Raducanu and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova called out the ELC. Remember the Brit’s reaction after losing the third round match against Aryna Sabalenka? During the press conference, she didn’t mince her words. “I mean that call that was like for sure out. It’s kind of, you know, disappointing, you know, the tournament here that the calls can be so wrong, but you know, for the most part, they’ve been okay,” she said.
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Her frustration was due to a call made midway in the first set. Sabalenka made a serve at 2-4, 15-0. Per the Brit, it was out but ELC termed it in. Emma Raducanu even approached the chair umpire saying, “You saw it out as well, right?”
It will be interesting to see how the ELC evolves going forward. Do you think it will get better by the next edition to offer “maximum accuracy”? Let us know in the comments below.
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