Wimbledon began in 1877 when the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club staged its first championships at a site off Worple Road. From a starting field of 22 Old Harrovian Spencer Gore was crowned the first champion.

Between 1881 and 1886 William Renshaw won six consecutive titles, a record which still stands to this day. Renshaw won his seventh title in 1889, a feat matched by Pete Sampras in 2000.

The first Wimbledon ladies' singles competition was staged in 1884, with Maud Watson defeating her sister, Lillian, to win the title. The first overseas winner was May Sutton of the United States in 1905.

Wimbledon grew in stature and the 1930s proved a golden decade for the host nation as Fred Perry emerged to win three consecutive titles. Little did he know that 73 years later, Britain was still searching for his successor.

The beginning of the Open era in 1968 brought titles for and Billie Jean King. Fittingly, the centenary tournament in 1977 brought a popular title win for Virginia Wade.

The irrepressible Bjorn Borg became the first men's player in the Open era to win five consecutive titles in 1980. Seven years later Martina Navratilova was the first player to win the ladies' singles seven times in a row.

In recent years Roger Federer equalled Borg's Open era record but was denied the chance to set a new mark when he was beaten by Rafael Nadal in a 2008 final rated by many as the greatest of all time.