Steeped in tradition, Wimbledon has always been the grand slam event every player wants to win the most.
The tournament can perhaps best be summed up in one word: unique.
It's the only tennis major played on grass with players competing in white, just as they did a century ago. Unlike the US Open, French Open and Australian Open, which are organized by their national tennis federations, Wimbledon is hosted by an actual tennis club in a quiet, residential corner of southwest London. There is no signage on the courts and no music during changeovers.
It is also the only grand slam tournament with a Royal Box, which has hosted Elizabeth II, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, four times. The Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, is an honorary member and has been a regular visitor over the years.
Defending champions Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic are both chasing history. Williams is gunning for a 22nd slam title, putting her level with Steffi Graf's Open era record. Djokovic is trying to win his third straight major this year, which would put him three-quarters of the way towards the coveted calendar-year Grand Slam. The last man to achieve the feat was Australian Rod Laver, in 1969.
