The staggering science and art behind Wimbledon's legendary grass courts
LONDON -- Billie Jean King -- tennis legend, trailblazer and 12-time grand slam winner -- once famously said that “tennis is the perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of tranquility.”
If taken to be true, then Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at Wimbledon, is responsible for the battlefield that some of the most epic matches in tennis lore have ever been played on.
From the longest tennis match in history between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days to Carlos Alcaraz’ electrifying victory over Novak Djokovic in 2023, Stubley oversees the meticulous process that ensures these courts meet the highest standards for playability and aesthetics, each 8-millimeter blade of grass at a time.
“Next year’s championship starts the day after the last one finishes,” Stubley told ABC News. “And that's just what we do.”
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