The best viewing points don't necessarily come with a specific gate, aisle, row and seat number. In Vantage Point, Wimbledon.com identifies the prime perches, observation points and court views that don’t require a ticket.
Court 18: Unique bird's eye view
The steep contours that give the Grounds the landmark Aorangi hummock – Henman Hill, Murray Mound, Pimms-tent Peak, however you like to style it – also contribute to the magical and unique character of Court 18.
This jewel of a Show Court nestles into a space carved out on three sides by the walls of the Broadcast Centre and the gradients of the slope above St Mary’s Walk.
Its highlight – almost a secret, closely guarded by those in the know - is the free-for-all bird’s-eye vantage point afforded by its rooftop viewing. (It is, after all, the perch from which Rufus the Hawk makes his early morning pigeon-scaring flights.)
Visitors who climb the steps towards the water feature by St Mary’s Gate, can turn left and find a tennis fan's paradise in the verdant grassy area close to the Ticket Resale office.
Leaning over the rooftop balustrade that runs along the length of the playing stage, you get an awesome aerial view over proceedings on Court 18 while, to the right, you can star-spot veteran players (Boris Becker, Max Wilander, Marion Bartoli, John McEnroe, Tracy Austin et al) conducting al fresco interviews and “pieces to camera” for the myriad international TV stations that have interview spots on the grassy Broadcast Centre picnic roof.
The game's cognoscenti will find no better observation point for a perspective on players’ tactical use of the full width and depth of the court. On Tuesday, Court 18’s rooftop viewers fostered a new-found admiration of Dan Evans’ grass-court finesse, Belinda Bencic’s cleverly placed lobs and the wily angles Carla Suarez Navarro found to notch up 16 winners in her victory over Samantha Stosur.
As well as gasping at on-the-line accuracy of well-placed shots, aesthetically minded spectators will relish the lines of beauty that comprise No.1 Court’s new rooftop silhouette and the photogenic, almost choreographed symmetry as rotating teams of line officials and ball boys and ball girls file on and off the court.
As for iconic images, check out the synchronised sun umbrellas held over players at the changeover - all part of the exemplary attention to detail practised by Court 18's team of court attendants. Or the 40 distinctive stripes left on the grass by the ground staff's lawnmowers.
Of course, Court 18 is synonymous with turning spectators into tennis’ equivalent of Rip Van Winkle. On the day of The Longest Match back in 2010, those lucky enough to have taken up their eyrie-like position overlooking the court at 6.13pm on Tuesday, 22 June and to have left after 5pm on Thursday, 24 June (going home for two night’s sleep) would have witnessed the metronomic battle of history-making duo of John Isner and Nicolas Mahut.
But you don’t need to stand sentry for 11 hours and 5 minutes to appreciate the special nature of this vantage point. Even if you only have half an hour to spare, hotfoot up to Court 18's rooftop to experience the most unique form of immersion in The Championships.