Wimbledon Village Loves its Fans...

The village just outside Central London can be so fusty with its ordinances. But it loves the tournament fans... it really does. As long as they are gone by 11pm.

The Dog and Fox, the famous Wimbledon pub where Nick Kyrgios goes to have a beer and unwind — sometimes after, or just several hours before, a match.

Let’s make one thing clear: Wimbledon has a standard to uphold. As the world’s oldest and most prestigious tournament, it wont sink to the level of, say, the U.S. Open or even the “fifth slam” in Indian Wells, California and accept just anyone in its stands, or any old company receiving the seal. Therefore, it makes considerable less money than its three other Grand Slam siblings.

But thats not to say Wimbledon is a charity. The Grand Slam tournament generates significant money in more creative ways: broadcasting rights, tickets, concessions and merchandise. Wimbledon and the U.S. Open do not break down their revenue, but experts say Wimbledon receives roughly $160 million from broadcasting rights, $47 million from ticket sales, $47 million from limited sponsorships (American Express) and $35 million from concessions and merchandise sales. The U.S. Open's comparable figures are about $120 million in broadcasting rights, $120 million from tickets, $65 million from sponsorships and $30 million from concessions and merchandise.

What percentage of that money goes to Merton (where the village of Wimbledon lives)? Well, not much — most goes to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) or to further rehab the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC). But there is somewhat of a trickle-down effect. A tax report from the AELTC states that for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2018, the tournament generated £256.7 million ($336.3 million US) in revenues, with £39.7million in pre-tax profit ($52 million). While than 93 per cent of those profits were given to level up the next generation of British players, seven percent was spread about.

Day True, a kitchen, design and bathroom shop, uses Johnny Mac’s famous amorphisms to highlight the feeling of loosing Wimbledon or having bad construction.

Thai Tho goes all out for the Wimbledon fortnight, and why not? The Williams sisters, Maria Sharapova (before she retired) and Andy Murray were regulars.

And yet the citizens of Wimbledon still grumble at all the conveniences they must endure during the fortnight. They get their way — most of the time, although many take two-week vacation while estate agents rent out their homes for up to £15,000 (about $18,400) a week for two weeks. The stands must still be emptied by 11pm every night and up until this year, the tournament left that middle Sunday sacred. That said, there seem to be more and more clamour for action over tradition. When in 2017, the Merton Council approved a new AELTC building with six indoor courts, as well as six outdoor clay courts and an underground car park with space for up to 338 cars and 60 bicycles, the proposal for “the feeling of tennis in an English garden,” only received 17 objection letters.

In fact, one only has to circle Wimbledon village during the fortnight to witness the love — or the marketing lust — that the people of Wimbledon have for their tournament and all its storied history. It’s been a week since the tournament, but only 351 days until we see all the English punditry at work — again.

Is it any surprise that Wimbledon has a pub called the Hand & Racquet? About as original as a pub in Epsom — site of the famous horse races — being named the Derby Arms.

An unusual take on the Wimbledon experience. No comment on whether Andy Murray appreciates this window front.

Wimbledon, which is sponsored by American Express, went all out at both its Tub stations, South Shields and this one, Wimbledon South. Sadly its poster girl Emma Raducanu lost in the early rounds.

The Alexandra is one of the premier sports pubs in Wimbledon Village and has its own little Henman Hill or Murray Mound. But six months from now, all those alone on Christmas receive a free pint and meal.

A waterfall advert at this year’sWimbledon, with a cheek reference to the pouring rain the tournament often receives.

Charity shops, such as this Fara one, pull out any and all tennis-related donations to decorate their windows during the Wimbledon fortnight. They are slightly cheaper than the Wimbledon Shop on the grounds of the AELTC.

Just down the road from the Southfields station and the AELTC, Drop Shot serves brunch and coffee to tired players and especially tired officials and journalists.

Southfields Tube Station, the second metropolitan transit station owned by American Express during the fortnight.