With construction due to start on the new No.1 Court roof, this week’s blog post takes a look back at the court’s history...

From its humble beginnings as an open air 2500 seater court, to its current status as Centre Court’s ‘little brother’, with a seating capacity of 11,393. Join us as we chart No.1 Court’s finest moments.

The first ever match played on No.1 Court was between British players Brian Gilbert and Noel Turnbull, at The Championships 1924. The following day, the first ladies’ match on the court was played between Suzanne Lenglen and Sylvia Lumley-Ellis, with Lenglen dominating the match, winning 6-0 6-0. The No.1 Court of Lenglen’s day was very different to the one that stands in Aorangi Park today. It was a more modest space, with a seating capacity of 2500 and room for 750 more standing, located just west of Centre Court. The court was gradually extended over the years, with highlights including the removal of roof stanchions in 1938 to 1939 to allow uninterrupted views across the court and the extension of the West Open Stand to a height of 50 feet in 1955, providing an extra 900 seats and considerable standing space.

Nearly 30 years later the court was completely refurbished; the South Stand was demolished and replaced by a building, providing facilities for competitors, referees and umpires. Furthermore, 1250 seats were added to the complex, taking the court capacity up to 6350, the second biggest court on the grounds by 4330 seats. The old No.1 Court, in its location right next to Centre Court, saw many a thrilling match. 15 singles semi-finals have been held there since 1924 and the court also has a special place in the history of international women’s tennis. Every other year, from 1924 to 1972, it hosted the Wightman Cup, an annual team tennis competition between the United States and Great Britain, set up to raise the profile of women’s tennis internationally.

It was in 1997 that No.1 Court as we know it was born, with Tim Henman and Daniel Nestor christening it during The Championships of that year. The circular shape of the court provides good sightlines, lighting, ventilation and acoustics for players and spectators alike, aiming for an atmosphere of openness and informality. Like its former incarnation, No.1 Court has seen its fair share of gripping tennis; quarter finals day in 2009 is particularly memorable with Haas scoring a four set upset against Djokovic, followed by an intense five set cliff-hanger between Roddick and Hewitt which lasted until 7 in the evening. The new roof, set to be completed in 2019, will allow Centre Court’s ‘little brother’ to continue to host great tennis, come rain or shine!

What’s your favourite memory from No.1 Court?