Plus-fours! Bee stings! Lovelorn fans! Clergymen in procession! Royals inspecting racket frames!
The greatest stage in tennis has not just hosted the mesmerising Championships matches on its famous grass, it’s also seeped in social history.
Here’s a taste of some of the hallowed venue’s weird and wonderful milestone moments:
The King and the gong
One might have expected a trumpet fanfare or a military drum roll, but it was with three bangs of a percussion instrument said to originate in Asia that King George V officially opened the new All England Lawn Tennis Club Grounds at Church Road in 1922.
Rain delayed the ceremony, naturally.
Racing back for some strawberries
Or should we say les fraises?
The first singles champion crowned on the new Centre Court was Suzanne Lenglen of France, who beat Molla Mallory 6-2, 6-0 in just 23 minutes, a victory that remains the shortest ladies’ singles final.
Sidney’s socks
Fifteen-year-old American Sidney Wood caused consternation in 1927 by playing in white plus-fours and golfing socks rather than traditional long trousers, but gave the commentator who was making the first radio broadcast transmitted from Centre Court plenty of scope to exercise their powers of description.
Hemlines hit the headlines
Britain’s Joan Lycett became the first woman to play on Centre Court not just in a shorter skirt in 1931 but - shock, horror - in ankle socks, having ditched her stockings.
1936… Fred Perry makes it short and sweet
Perry won his third successive Wimbledon title, beating Gottfried von Cramm 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 in 40 minutes. It was the shortest men’s singles final but its legacy as a British men's victory lingered for a very, very long time… until Andy Murray became champion in 2013.
Thanksgiving all round
Three days before the coronation of George VI in 1937, an interdenominational service of thanksgiving for the new monarch was held on Centre Court.
This was also the year Wimbledon tennis began to be televised: BBC transmissions took place from Centre Court for up to 30 minutes each day - thus introducing the English summertime custom of non-negotiable sofa-occupation during the Fortnight.
1940 to 1945: enter the military
The Championships were suspended during the Second World War and the armed forces used the Grounds and clubhouse for a variety of purposes.
Where now there is a strawberry-hulling operation under Centre Court, there was once a decontamination unit established in case of a gas attack.
Explosive times
In October 1940, a 500lb bomb hit Centre Court, resulting in the loss of 1,200 seats for the first three tournaments after the war.
When The Championships resumed, the military association continued with service personnel from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force acting as stewards for the first time - a tradition that continues today.
The last champion to wear long trousers?
That was Yvon Petra of France the previous year in 1946; Jack Kramer was the first singles champion to wear shorts.
Majestic moments
In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II attended The Championships for the first time and presented the trophy to Althea Gibson, the first African-American to win the singles. Five years later she was back to present the trophy on court to Rod Laver in the year of his first calendar Grand Slam.
How could Virginia Wade get away with a pink cardigan in 1977?
When the players’ dress code was introduced in 1963, it stated that competitors must be dressed ‘predominantly in white’ throughout The Championships (except for a cardigan, pullover or headwear).
What was notable about Billie Jean King’s first singles title in 1966?
Of the gazillion ‘firsts’ BJK pioneered throughout her career, she is also in the history books as the first ladies’ champion to wear glasses in the final.
Which players featured in the first match shown on scheduled colour television?
This was in 1967 and the historic BBC2 transmission carried a match between Roger Taylor and Cliff Drysdale.
A right royal racket
Which Wimbledon champion was the first to use a metal racket? And which member of the royal family handled it on Centre Court? It was Billie Jean King in 1968, and Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent who held it while BJK explained its features.
To sit or not to sit?
It was only in 1975 that chairs were provided for use by players at changes of ends.
Sting operation
In 1982, a swarm of bees buzzed around Pam Shriver and her opponent and fellow American, Kathy Rinaldi. Shriver, renowned for her volleying skills, swatted them away with her racket but Rinaldi was stung on the arm. The sting was subsequently removed by the considerate Shriver.
Who received a marriage proposal mid-match on Centre Court?
This was Steffi Graf, when playing in a semi-final against Kimiko Date in 1996. ‘Steffi, will you marry me?’ came a cry from a fan in the crowd. Fraulein Forehand paused, smiled and called back, ‘How much money do you have?’
With thanks to Centre Court: The Jewel in Wimbledon's Crown edited by Ian Hewitt and John Barrett
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