Anyone for tennis? Getting into Wimbledon – exercise
Tennis-players from over 60 countries compete at Wimbledon, in London, in five main championship events – the mens’ singles, the womens’ singles, the mens’ doubles, the womens’ doubles, and the mixed doubles, where a man and a woman play together against another team of a man and woman. There are also 4 Junior, 2 Wheelchair and 3 Veteran events. The cost of tickets varies greatly, according to what time you go in, and depending on the popularity of the event – the cheapest to get into the grounds cost around £20 during the day and about £15 after 5pm, although in the second week the cost of these goes down slightly. Tickets to get into Wimbledon for the top courts (Centre Court, no 1 and no 2 Courts) cost more in the second week than in the first, while a seat for the finals on Centre Court costs about £100. There is a draw – a sort of raffle – for most of the tickets, but you can still queue up during the champonship to get tickets for all but the last few events.
Wimbledon has had a massive series of improvements made to its facilities in the last 15 years, and these have transformed the experience of going to Wimbledon for thousands of tennis fans who attend the championships every summer (with or without strawberries and cream!*). If you would like to get a player’s autograph, there is a special place, called Autograph Island, where interviews and signing sessions are held. There are places where you can leave bicycles, and places outside the grounds where you can leave luggage, especially bulky items, which are not permitted inside the grounds. If you need to leave the grounds during your visit and go back in, you can get a ‘pass-out’ wristband which you would need, with your ticket, to re-enter the grounds.
Wimbledon 2011, commences on June 20th and is televised around the world. Look out for it. Who would YOU like to win it??
*Eating strawberries and cream at Wimbledon is considered one of the traditions of the event.
Can you listen to the recording and answer these questions about the tennis championships held every year at Wimbledon?
1 Why is there an element of luck about getting a ticket for Wimbledon?
2 What are the 4 associations mentioned that sell tickets for Wimbledon?
3 When would there be no point in queueing up for a seat on the Centre Court?
4 The Centre Court seats 15,000 spectators. How many tickets are held back for sale on the day of the matches?
5 What are you given in the queue that identifies you as being interested in getting a ticket for a specific court?
6 Which three courts are mentioned as ‘show courts?
7 How long does Wimbledon last?
8 Which courts have no reserved seating at all?
9 What 4 items are mentioned as being banned?
10 Who is authorised to refuse you entry to Wimbledon?
11 Can you give any of the reasons you might be ‘thrown out’ of Wimbledon?
12 Could you wear in-line skates or roller-blades to get around the large grounds?
13 What would you be expected to switch off?
14 Can you sell your tickets on to others if you can’t make it to the match you have a ticket for?
15 Who must you most certainly not purchase a ticket from?
16 Can you move around during matches?
17 When are you told specifically you may not make a noise?
18 Why are you not allowed to applaud a double fault or a shot that goes into the net?
19 Could you take flash photos?
20 What is the aim of this code of etiquette?