Every week on a Monday, our Soul of Sport series will take readers behind the scenes at top sporting events
Andy Hooper captured the scene as the finishing touches were put on preparations for this year’s Wimbledon
He also observed the group of fans camping out to ensure they’re the first ones in at the All England Club
Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER documented some of the sights ahead of this year’s Wimbledon at the All England Club.
The world’s best have descended on west London ahead of the start of the third Grand Slam on the tennis calendar hoping to add their name – or another entry – the hallowed roll call of previous winners.
French Open winner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is among the favourites for the crown, while world No 1 Jannik Sinner and all-time great Novak Djokovic are the ones to watch on the men’s side of the draw. As for the women. Iga Swiatek, who appears to be unbeatable on clay, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will be expecting to make deep runs over the next two weeks.
It’s could also be the last appearance of two-time winner Andy Murray at the event, who is facing a race against time to be fit for the men’s singles. He is also set to compete with his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles, which gets underway next week.
Mail Sport’s ANDY HOOPER took a peek into the final preparations for the event on Nikon X9 and Z8 cameras with 24-70mm, 70-200mm and 400mm lenses. He captured those eager fans counting down the hours until gates are opened on day one.
Grand Slam winner American Coco Gauff is among the leading candidates to win the title on the women’s side of the drawCountless tennis balls emblazoned with the Slazenger logo will be used over the course of the next few weeks in WimbledonDefending champion Carlos Alcaraz (right) comes into the tournament off the back of his first triumph in the French OpenFans will get the chance to take in the multitude of matches taking place at the All England Club this year for the first time on Monday
Eight-time winner Roger Federer, seen tattooed on this person’s left calf, continues to be adored by fans at SW19Staff at the All England Club are putting the finishing touches on the preparations for the prestigious London eventThe iconic Centre Court can be seen in the background of one of the outer courts at Wimbledon. The venue will hosts the finalsNovak Djokovic can be seen wearing a brace on his right knee during training for the event after he was forced to pull out of the French Open with a torn meniscusThree-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz signs merchandise for fans after completing a session on one of the practice courtsAlcaraz’s tattoo marking his Wimbledon triumph last summer can be seen poking above his sock on his right legThe 21-year-old is hoping to claim his fourth Grand Slam title and join an exclusive group of players to complete the French Open, Wimbledon double in the same seasonVeteran Andy Murray is facing a race against time to be fit for the men’s singles draw in his final appearance at the tournamentEager fans are camping outside the All England Club to ensure they’re the first ones through the doors on day one on MondayStaff put the finishing touches on Centre Court’s hallowed turf that will see the best players in the world compete to win the trophySpirits were high among the punters are they made the most of their time ahead of the start of the competition in the London sunGauff shows off her nails ahead of the tournament, where she will be expecting to better her first round exit in 2023A Wimbledon staff member takes a breather in the stands of Centre Court ahead of the hectic few weeks at the tournament aheadAlcaraz gets in some more training reps ahead of his first round match against Estonian Mark Lajal on Monday afternoon
Share or comment on this article: Behind the scenes at Wimbledon: As SW19 prepares for a huge fortnight of tennis – and Andy Murray’s farewell – ANDY HOOPER brings you inside the gates
