Aim

• The courts are prepared in a similar manner each year to produce the highest quality playing surface for the world's best players in the modern game to display their full range of skills.
• That means the courts must have even and consistent bounce, as well as the ability to withstand prolonged wear and tear for a minimum of 13 days.

Court Durability

• The courts are sown with 100% Perennial Ryegrass (since 2001) to improve durability and strengthen the sward so that it can better withstand the increasing wear of the modern game,
• Independent expert research from The Sports Turf Research Institute in Yorkshire, UK, proved that changing the grass seed mix to 100% Perennial Ryegrass (previously 70% Rye/30% Creeping Red Fescue) would be the best way forward to combat wear and enhance court presentation and performance without affecting the perceived speed of the court.

Speed of Courts

• There has been no intention either this year or in previous years to produce slower courts or ones suited for a particular type of game. 

Bounce

• The amount a ball bounces is largely determined by the soil, not the grass. The soil must be hard and dry to allow 13 days of play without damage to the court sub-surface.
• To achieve the required surface of even consistency and hardness, the courts are rolled and covered to keep them dry and firm.  Regular measurements are taken to monitor this.
• If the court is too soft, when the players run, jump and slide, the pimples on their shoes will damage the surface and increase the chance of an irregular bounce.

The Grass

• The grass plant itself has to survive in this dry soil.  Expert research has again shown that a cut height of 8mm is the optimum for present day play and survival. 
• The height of cut has been at 8mm for the past 12 years.

The Effects of Atmospheric Conditions

• Unlike other surfaces grass is a living plant in an outdoor environment when weather varies throughout the year.  Weather conditions in the run up to The Championships will have some effect on the way the courts ultimately play.
• The atmosphere can also have an effect on the ball which will seem heavier and slower on a cold damp day and conversely lighter and faster on a warm dry day.

The Ball

• The last time the specification of the ball was changed was in 1995, which was a minimal alteration in compression.

Tim Phillips, Chairman of the All England Club and The Championships says:
"Wimbledon has always striven to provide the players with the best possible grass courts on which to display their considerable talents.  Just as the game of tennis does not stand still, neither do we and we continue to prepare our courts using all our experience and the latest technology. Ultimately, we aim to produce the best possible playing surface."