BBC documentary celebrates 125 years of Wimbledon

June 18, 2011   ·   0 Comments

The BBC will celebrate 125 years of incredible Wimbledon history in a special documentary to be screened on BBC Two at 8pm on Sunday 19 June.

The programme entitled “125 Years of Wimbledon: You Cannot be Serious” features archive footage from the tournament’s most memorable moments and illuminating interviews with the key players and famous fans.

The documentary will look back at the champions, the fierce rivalries, the tantrums, the British expectation, the weather and the fashions.

Legendary rivalries such as those between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe and Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have contributed to some unforgettable moments from the SW19 postcode.  The programme will look back at the memorable matches and revisit the time Nicolas Mahut and John Isner played for days and Jana Novotna cried on Centre Court.

Wimbledon is a place where traditions are challenged but never forgotten, where the greats have been crowned and where even Sir Cliff Richard has entertained the crowds during the rain.

The programme will feature contributions from McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Federer, Borg, Boris Becker, Billie Jean King, Venus and Serena Williams, Nadal, plus celebrity fans including Sir Cliff Richard and Stephen Fry.

Wimbledon Facts

• Wimbledon 2011 will be the 125th time that The All England Lawn Tennis Club will have hosted The Championships since the first tournament in 1877.
• The only event held in 1877 was the Gentlemen’s Singles which was won by Spencer Gore, from a field of 22. About 200 spectators paid one shilling each to watch the final.
• There were no Championships held between 1915-1918 and 1940-1945 due to the First World War and Second World War.
• The BBC is the host broadcaster, the agreement was renewed in 2008 and runs to 2014 inclusive.  Global cumulative audience estimated at 378.8m people in 182 countries.

Tags: BBC Two, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, SW19, Wimbledon