Wimbledon looks to future but a lot stays the same

Unlike the other three grand slams – the Australian Open, French Open and the US Open – Wimbledon persists in using the gender-specific terms ball “boys” and “girls”.

STAYING THE SAME: Charles Broom in action as the ball boy watches on. Photo credit: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

The slogan for this year’s Wimbledon is “Always like never before”, a nod to the All England Club’s annual balancing act in modernising while maintaining some of the traditions it holds so proud. 

But while the club and the tournament are expanding all the time, with the proposed development on the grounds of the old golf club across the road expected to be approved later this summer, some things stay the same.