Tom Jenkins’ best shots of Wimbledon 2022 – in pictures

This year’s tournament saw the return of capacity crowds following 2021’s 50% reduction due to the Covid pandemic. Another change for the world’s oldest tennis tournament was that it ran for the full 14 days for the first time. Traditionally, players have taken a break on the middle Sunday to allow the courts to recover. But Sally Bolton, the chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, said this was no longer necessary due to improvements in “grass court technology, care and attention”. The day was also the focal point for the Centre Court Centenary celebrations as 2022 is a special year for Wimbledon, marking 100 years since the club’s move to Church Road.

A variety of hats at the order of play board
An Andy Murray fan ahead of his men’s singles second round match against John Isner.
A spectator supporting Cameron Norrie in his match with David Goffin.
Rafael Nadal’s bow in his bandana.

  • A variety of hats at the order of play board, an Andy Murray fan, a Cameron Norrie fan, the bow in Rafael Nadal’s bandana.

The crowd celebrate Andy Murray’s victory over James Duckworth on Centre Court during day one of the 2022 Wimbledon tennis championships.
Andy Murray angrily smashes his pile of rackets after losing to John Isner on Centre Court.
The last of the sun hits the net on Court One.
A ballboy holds tennis balls on Centre Court.
Fibres fly off a tennis ball as Botic Van De Zandschulp serves during his defeat to Rafael Nadal.
Serena Williams dejection in her first round loss to Harmony Tan on Centre Court.
Harmony Tan celebrates on matchpoint her victory over Serena Williams on Centre Court.
Fans cheer during Nick Kyrgios’ victory over Paul Jubb on Court Three.
Fans of Nick Kyrgios applaud him during his match with Stefanos Tsistipas on Court One.
Tennis fans on Centre Court.
Darkness falls over the lit up roof on Centre Court as Novak Djokovic plays Tim Van Rijthoven.

  • Darkness falls over the lit-up roof on Centre Court as Novak Djokovic plays Tim Van Rijthoven, a service steward guards an entrance to Centre Court as the roof is shut, a statue in a window of Centre Court.

A service steward guards an entrance to Centre Court as the roof is shut.
A statue in a window of Centre Court.
Large crowds move around the grounds on day five.

  • Large crowds move around the grounds, Novak Djokovic leans on a bannister in the clubhouse to stretch his calves just before he goes through the doors onto Centre Court for his second round match with Thansi Kokkinakis.

Novak Djokovic leans on a bannister in the clubhouse to stretch his calves just before he goes through the doors onto Centre Court for his second round match with Thansi Kokkinakis.
Venus Williams takes a selfie with Marion Bartoli and Billie Jean during a line up of former Wimbledon champions during the Centre Court centenary celebrations.

Wimbledon crowds on Centre Court

Emma Raducanu’s Tiffany pearl earring during her first match on Centre Court.

  • Emma Raducanu’s Tiffany pearl earring during her first match on Centre Court, Nick Kyrgios’ leg tattoo of the Oscar Wilde quote “Give a man a mask and he will become his true self”, Rafael Nadal’s shoes display the years of his two Wimbledon titles.

Nick Kyrgios’ leg tattoo of the Oscar Wilde quote “Give a man a mask and he will become his true self” .
Rafael Nadal’s shoes display the two times he has won Wimbledon in his match.
Rafael Nadal and Ricardas Berankis hurriedly pack up their bags as groundsmen rush to cover the court from a shower of rain on Centre Court.
Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls of Great Britain high five after winning a game during their defeat in the ladies’ doubles to Nadia Kichenok of Ukraine and Raluca Olaru of Romania on Court 8 .

  • Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls high five after winning a game during their defeat in the women’s doubles to Nadia Kichenok and Raluca Olaru on Court 8, Katie Boulter serves during her defeat to Harmony Tan, Alize Cornet celebrates during her victory over Iga Swiatek.

Katie Boulter during her defeat to Harmony Tan on Court 2.
Alize Cornet celebrates during her victory over Iga Swiatek on Court One.
Cameron Norrie serves to David Goffin on Court One.

  • Cameron Norrie serves to David Goffin, Novak Djokovic dives across Centre Court during his first-round victory over Soonwoo Kwon, Jack Draper fires off a forehand during his defeat to Alex De Minaur.

Novak Djokovic dives across Centre Court during his first round victory over Soonwoo Kwon.
Jack Draper during his defeat to Alex De Minaur on Court One.

  • An injured Rafael Nadal looks up to his friends and family in his match with Taylor Fritz, Nick Kyrgios celebrates his victory on match point over Stefanos Tsitsipas. Nadal pulled out of the tournament on the eve of his semi-final against Kyrgios because of an abdominal tear. He said: “I can’t serve. Is not only that I can’t serve at the right speed, it’s that I can’t do the normal movement to serve.”

Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios

Alison Van Uytvanck during her defeat to Emma Raducanu on Centre Court.
source: theguardian.com