With spectators tuning in across the world and over half a million attendees making the pilgrimage to The Championships, Wimbledon every year, the effort required to ensure the grass courts are performing to their highest quality can often be overlooked. Across the two-week tournament, centre court needs to withstand 85 hours of play, so understanding the science and strategy behind keeping the surfaces safe and high performing is vital for the grounds team.

 

A little history

The mid-90s saw the boom of ryegrass breeding, as well as a push to understand the science behind an elite playing surface.  At our HQ in West Yorkshire, STRI has been conducting trials and collecting data in partnership with the AELTC to understand what makes the best performing tennis courts. Putting the theory into practice across UK courts for the past 30 years, this collaboration has facilitated some of the most well-known natural grass courts in the world.

 

The now

Safety and playability for The Championships’ elite athletes remains the number one priority.  Every day, surface hardness, moisture, live grass cover, NDVI and clerical measurements, and estimated grass cover are measured to inform what maintenance is required by the ground’s teams.  Weather is a crucial factor, and often unpredictable.  Historical data can reaffirm decision making for the team, giving confidence the correct protocol is being followed.

 

The future

With the UK aiming to achieve net zero by 2030, research into the reduction of nitrogen input and lowering carbons will help to futureproof the sport for generations to come.  The preparation for climate change also sees research into warm season grasses, cultivars, soil type and lighting underway, with the AELTC conducting these trials with STRI Australia.

The final point

From historic breakthroughs in grass breeding to cutting-edge data collection and climate-resilient innovation, the science behind Wimbledon’s iconic courts is as meticulously curated as the tournament itself. It’s a seamless blend of tradition and technology, all working to deliver world-class performance under the feet of the world’s best players.

To dive deeper into how research, data, and hands-on expertise come together to shape The Championships, tune in to our latest podcast with Sam Swires and Will Brierley — Game, Set, Stats!
Listen HERE