LONDON — As players such as Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton approached their Wimbledon quarterfinal matches recently, they passed through a newly renovated hallway leading to No. 1 Court, the tournament’s second-largest grass-court stadium. This corridor now features an array of memorabilia and photographs celebrating the rich history of the venue, connecting current competitors to past legends.

Malin Lundin, the All England Club’s collections manager, explained the motivation behind the renovation.

“We were really keen to create a more inspiring place for players and create a sense of occasion,”

she said.

“We wanted to highlight main events from the history of this court and what sets it apart from Centre Court, as well.”

Iconic Outfits and Autographed Items of Tennis Stars on Display

The exhibit includes the match outfit Emma Raducanu wore in 2021 when she became the youngest British woman to reach the Wimbledon round of 16 in the Open era. Nearby, visitors can see Coco Gauff’s attire from her 2019 Grand Slam debut. Then just 15 years old, Gauff stunned the tennis world by defeating five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams on her way to the fourth round.

Alongside these youthful achievements, the display honors established British champions. Andy Murray’s T-shirt and shorts, along with Tim Henman’s shirt, shorts, sneakers, and racket, are featured as well. Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, played his second major career match on No. 1 Court, while Henman, a four-time semifinalist, ended his career playing for Britain’s Davis Cup team there in 2007.

The walls of the hallway are painted deep green and include quotations from tennis greats like six-time Wimbledon singles winner Billie Jean King and wheelchair tennis star Alfie Hewett. Illuminated signs highlight memorable moments from the court’s history, including John McEnroe’s famous “You cannot be serious!” outburst from 1981, blending the legacy of the current No. 1 Court, opened in 1997, with that of its predecessor.

Players’ Reactions to the Updated Hallway as They Prepare to Compete

While the display has been praised for its visual impact both in person and for television broadcasts, the players focusing on their matches often pay little attention to it. Taylor Fritz, who reached the semifinals after playing several matches at No. 1 Court this year, admitted on Tuesday that he had not noticed many of the new features.

“Outside of that, no, I haven’t been paying attention too much,”

Fritz said.

Other competitors such as Argentina’s Solana Sierra and Canada’s Gabriel Diallo also reported being too focused on their upcoming matches to take in the hallway exhibits.

In contrast, Greece’s Maria Sakkari, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, made a point of observing the items during her time on the court.

“I saw Coco’s outfit and a couple more,”

Sakkari remarked. That’s cool.

She also reflected on the tradition Wimbledon has of inviting players to donate memorabilia, a practice that began around two decades ago.

“My current outfit is worth having in a museum. Maybe not mine, but from another player,”

Sakkari said. It’s worth giving them.

Significance of the Memorabilia in Connecting Present and Past Champions

This revamped hallway not only honors the legends who have graced No. 1 Court but also inspires present-day players by reminding them of the remarkable achievements linked to their venue. Displaying Coco Gauff’s Wimbledon match outfit alongside those of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu emphasizes the growing legacy of young champions making their mark at the tournament.

As Wimbledon continues, this connection between history and current competition adds depth to the players’ experience and offers fans a tangible link to memorable moments on the grass courts. The emphasis on commemorating past triumphs is likely to encourage players to contribute their own memorabilia in future years, enriching the museum and motivating future generations of tennis stars.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Does Coco Gauff have a degree?

A. Gauff earned her diploma from the Florida Department of Education after finishing her studies at Florida Virtual Flex. As an 18-year-old, she managed her education alongside launching a successful tennis career, balancing both over the past four years.

Q. Is Coco Gauff the highest paid tennis player?

A. 1. Coco Gauff, a tennis player, earned $30.4 million.
2. Skiing athlete Eileen Gu made $22 million.
3. Iga Swiatek, another tennis player, earned $21.4 million.