The first Wimbledon Championships took place at a site off Worple Road, Wimbledon Tennis Club, where the lawns were laid out to surround a middle court, hence the tradition of the Centre Court, which continues to this day.

The All England Club moved its headquarters to the present site in 1922. In 1980 the addition of four new courts brought the total used for Wimbledon Championship play to 19, including Centre and Number One Courts.

The old Number One Court was demolished and a replacement built for the 1997 Championships. The 2009 event will see a retractable roof over Centre Court for the first time, as well as a new Number Two Court.

The Wimbledon Tennis Club covers over 32 acres, including the Aorangi Park development, which comprises 22 grass courts upon which competitors can book to practise for the duration of the tournament.

Around 450,000 people visit the Championships annually and the majority of those who obtain tickets for Centre or Number One Courts are either club members or have been successful in the annual ballot of applicants.

The courts are used by members and Lawn Tennis Association players throughout the year, with the exception of Centre and Number One Courts, which remain otherwise unused, save for occasional one-off events such as Davis Cup ties.

Situated on the outside of Court One, a big screen provides live show-court action to spectators in the adjacent picnic area dubbed 'Henman Hill' after numerous occasions in which fans flocked to watch the former British number one in action.