PREPARING FOR WIMBLEDON

Preparations for The Championships start immediately after the preceding tournament. Improvements are considered and implemented by the Committee of Management and AELTC staff.

Between Championships, the AELTC has regular dialogue with key groups such as Metropolitan Police, local authorites, voluntary bodies, residents, transport providers and other interested parties to consider matters arising during the Fortnight and to monitor progress on suggested improvements.

Maintenance of Courts

Grass renovation to the Centre and No.1 Courts starts immediately after The Championships and on the other courts during August and September.

The Centre Court and No.1 Court are re-sown each year, as soon as possible after The Championships. Contrary to popular belief they are not re-turfed. The outside courts, although used considerably more throughout the year, are also oversown.

Staff for The Championships

More than 6,000 people work on The Championships. These include a temporary staff of several hundred who are directly employed by the AELTC and others who are provided by firms, contractors, voluntary bodies and public services as well as representatives of the media.

Referee's office

The Referee (Andrew Jarrett) is the arbiter on the rules of the game. He also runs the Qualifying Competition. His decision on matters is final.

The Referee and his highly experienced team are responsible for putting matches onto court, recording and displaying results, allocating the duties of umpires and line judges and undertaking a variety of other duties connected with the programme of matches.

List of staff

An approximate list of officials and staff engaged for the duration of The Championships is as follows: