RESIDENTS and businesses near Wimbledon’s famous centre court say they’re excited for a two-week party – but it’s not all fun and games.
The world’s most famous grass Grand Slam tournament is now underway as the crowds and stars flock to SW19.
Big hitters such as Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek will be on show while Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina look to dent a few reputations.
Now licensees near The All England Lawn Tennis Club have said they are looking forward to a two week party as fans, players, media crews and stars pack out the pubs at night during Wimbledon.
Michael Cocker, 32, assistant manager and events manager at the Dog and Fox pub and hotel, said to London Live: “We get tourists from all over the world.
“It’s crazy. We move all furniture out after a certain time, as soon as Centre Court is finished. Everyone flocks here, everyone’s dancing. Every day they come in and we play music – it’s basically a party until whenever, 1 or 2am.
“I get a bit nervous when we’re coming towards it. You want everything to be perfect, there’s a lot of planning.”
Mr Cocker said trade more then doubled during the tournament. He said: “ESPN come in here. We get tennis players after they finish, they come here. There’s people coming in even now from all over the world.”
Sav Pereira, 40, assistant manager for 12 years at the Fire Stables gastropub, recalled Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe, Boris Becker and TV duo Ant and Dec calling in.
She said: “It’s already started to get busy. We’re the first bar they [spectators] see when we come up [to town from the courts].
“For this place it’s different, because we don’t have any outdoors. It’s a big opportunity for us – after this, we go pretty quiet.
“We’re not a drinking place, more eating. But still, our business does double what we normally do on a weekly basis.”
Debbie Knight, 62, who owns Senti Fragrances, said the tournament was great for the village but that she was not expecting bumper sales.
She said: “People buy plasters in the chemist, sun lotion and some – that’s why we’ve got hats in. They don’t want to shop, but it’s a positive thing for the village.
“Regular customers don’t come in because they think they’re going to get stuck in traffic.”
A designer at a nearby jewellery shop, who preferred not to be named, said: “It’s full of people, the village. But not necessarily the shop.
“I’ve only experienced one [Wimbledon], but that’s how it was last year, at least.”
