Wimbledon Website - The Championships and The All England Lawn Tennis Club

The first match played on Centre Court between Major A. R. F. Kingscote and L. A. Godfree.

They could have used with a roof over Centre Court when it was used for the first time back on 22 June, 1922.

The rain was bucketing down. The Times reported of the grand event: "With play postponed there was more opportunity for examining the ground and stand, and both came in for high praise, although some anxiety was expressed whether the courts, which are soft to the touch, would stand the strain of a fortnight's play."

The popularity of the Championships had seen the All England Lawn Tennis Club outgrow their home on Worple Road. In 1920 land was bought near Wimbledon Park for a new home and the architect Captain Stanley Peach was engaged to design the grounds, including the Centre Court.

Work began on Centre Court on 9 September 1921. In less than a year the stadium was fit for purpose, covering nearly one acre and using 3,000 tons of shingle, 1700 tons of sand and 600 tons of cement.

There were 19 tiers of seating in the covered area using 21 miles of wood slats which could accommodate 9,989 spectators with a further 4000 standing (although this number was later revised to 3600). There were 47 separate entrances to Centre Court.

The Centre Court and the other 12 courts on the new grounds were ready for the first day of the 1922 Championships, but the weather delayed the start.

Eventually, at 3.30pm, their majesties King George and Queen Mary entered the court after the rain had relented. The king gave three blows to a gong and declared the ground open.

The Times wrote: "At once the reefers pulled back the tarpaulin and very neatly they did it and the new Centre Court was revealed. To the eye it looked as smooth as if the green had been poured on molten, and, however it may play in the later stages, yesterday in appearance it was the brother to the old centre Court, and a big brother too."

At 3:45pm, Leslie Godfree served the first ball on Centre Court to Algernon Kingscote, who became the first player to net a return of serve on Centre Court. Kingscote went on to record Centre Court's first victory with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 win. Centre Court was in use.