Supporting our members - GMA statement on condition of AELTC courts during Wimbledon

We are aware of that the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has issued a statement on the condition of its courts, at the start of this year's Wimbledon championship.

A response from Geoff Webb, on behalf of the Grounds Management Association:

“Grounds teams work above and beyond to produce safe and playable surfaces in any weather condition, working with the natural grass plant and its changing characteristics each day. Excess rainfall during Wimbledon, coupled with a closed roof on Centre Court, causes the grass plant to absorb additional moisture and impacts how much excess water can be released into the atmosphere. It requires elite grounds management to ensure that matches can take place in these circumstances.

“The AELTC grounds team are highly experienced and deliver impeccable surfaces each day. External partners also provide research, expertise and data to inform decisions about how each court is maintained. The wettest Wimbledon tournament in a decade places additional pressure on grounds staff but, we know as GMA members, they have the skills and knowledge to produce the best possible surface in any condition so that matches are safe and playable.”