Afternoon:
8°c
Anyone for tents?
Jack Lefley and Shekhar Bhatia23 Jun 2008
It looks like Glastonbury, but this encampment is in fact the Wimbledon tennis tent city.
Hundreds of people camped through the night to be the first to gain entry to the tournament today. But a tradition of sleeping under canvas on the pavement ended as SW19 officials laid on a camping ground, complete with all the facilities needed, in Wimbledon Park.
Campers were given "queuing cards" according to how early they arrived to prove their position in the line. Some fans had pitched their tents as early as Saturday afternoon.
Organisers promised the new system would create a more pleasing ambience and also provided more lavatories. Families had picnics or cooked on barbecues while others played an impromptu game of football.
Left luggage containers were provided to store tents and sleeping bags while fans watched the tennis. People who turn up tonight to queue for tomorrow's tickets will also be able to camp, with the ground open every evening throughout the tournament.
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament to sell on-the-day tickets, resulting in the queue.
The first arrival was Ally Martin, 41, from Guildford, who was with friends and family including her children Joseph, 12, and eight-year-old Hope. Mrs Martin said: "I must be mad but we do it every year. We want to see the best players in the world."
Joseph added: "I'm here to see Roger Federer because I supported him the first time I came and he won. I think I'm like his lucky charm and I have to keep coming for him to win."
Students Jack Steer and Emma Bailey, both 17, travelled from Southampton in the hope of getting to see one of the top players. Jack said: "It was more like Glastonbury than a Wimbledon queue. It was a great atmosphere."
Friends Jackie Mills and Zoe Garner were glad of the good weather. Ms Mills, 33, a team manager of Nuneaton, said: "Last year we stuck with it through the rain so we must be crazy."
Ms Garner, 33, an analyst programmer from Stoke-on-Trent, said: "(Rafael) Nadal is my favourite and I really hope I get to see him play live for the first time."
The Federer fan club was out in force with many campers backing him to retain his title. City banker Gerry Jablonski, 48, who recently moved to Marylebone from Chicago, said he was fulfilling a promise made to his 13-year-old son, Jack.
Mr Jablonski said: "Jack wasn't too keen on leaving all his friends behind and said, 'Dad if you really want me to move all the way over there you're going to have to queue with me at Wimbledon to see Roger Federer'. I can't believe I'm actually doing it."
Between 450,000 and 460,000 people are expected to pass through the Wimbledon gates over the fortnight.
No rain is predicted all week, with temperatures in the low 20s from now until Friday. One All England Club official said: "We thought it was going to rain today so the sunshine is a bonus. In our experience if the sun is out on the first day then it seems to set the tone for the fortnight and lifts everyone, players and fans."
