Wimbledon Court Assignments Explained: Complete Guide to Every Court

The All England Club's court assignment system is a carefully orchestrated process that balances player status, broadcast requirements, and competitive integrity. With 18 grass courts in use during the Championships, understanding court assignments adds depth to the Wimbledon experience. This guide covers every aspect of the system.

Wimbledon's referee and scheduling team allocate matches to courts daily, considering multiple factors: player ranking, match importance, TV broadcast schedules, player rest time, weather conditions, and fan appeal. Centre Court always opens with the defending champion and typically features four matches per day (two men's, two women's in the first week).

Courts 3-18 provide an intimate atmosphere where fans can watch world-class tennis from just meters away. The 'Henman Hill' (now 'Murray Mound') allows fans without court tickets to watch Centre Court action on a large screen. The outside courts have produced many of Wimbledon's most memorable matches, including the Isner-Mahut marathon on Court 18.

Each court's grass is cut to exactly 8mm during the Championships. Courts are covered overnight and during rain. The groundskeeping team works from 6am daily, spending an average of 30 minutes per court on mowing, rolling, and line-marking. By the fortnight's end, the baseline areas are visibly worn, creating different playing conditions compared to week one.