In an unusual turn of events, the sprawling lawns of London have turned an unusual shade of brown due to an unprecedented heat wave gripping Britain and much of Europe. Notably, water consumption surged, prompting authorities to request the public to limit their outdoor water use.
Despite this, the iconic green grass of Wimbledon remains pristine as the Grand Slam tennis tournament begins. This lush appearance is a staple expectation for both players and fans alike.
American tennis player Madison Keys remarked, “I have not once ever considered the watering of the grass. They always are (green), so that’s probably why I have never thought about it.” Maintaining this verdant look is the responsibility of Neil Stubley, the head of courts and horticulture at the All England Club, alongside his team of 31 groundskeepers.
Stubley relies on a plethora of weather-tracking apps to monitor climate changes, stating, “It’s inevitable and it is happening,” referring to the increasing number of heat waves in Britain. Their research focuses on identifying resilient grass species that can withstand intense heat.
Wimbledon’s courts have been planted with perennial ryegrass since 2001. Advanced technology, like soil moisture probes, helps maintain optimal conditions, especially vital during the recent record-breaking June temperatures.
England experienced its warmest June ever, with overnight temperatures remaining unusually high. However, the heat subsided prior to Wimbledon, with temperatures not exceeding 26°C (79°F) this week, although a rise is expected soon.
This year’s tournament has yet to see rain, and none is forecasted. London’s spring was also unusually dry, with April receiving only 20% of its average rainfall, as per Thames Water, the water supplier for Greater London.
Water Management
Wimbledon’s Centre Court hosts an impressive 54 million grass plants, supported by 200 metric tons of soil. Each court benefits from a tailored irrigation strategy, although the facility lacks its own water supply system.
Conservation is key, as Stubley explained: “Every time we do a project, part of the remit is how can we conserve things, whether that be energy, whether that be water, the construction of the core, we’re constantly looking at the drainage layers, whether we can start using systems where we can recapture water and reuse it, whether it’s just potable or can we have boreholes, whether we can use the lakes across the road.”
Monitoring Grass Health
Extreme temperatures are a challenge across all four Grand Slams. However, unlike the Australian Open’s hard courts or the French Open’s clay, Wimbledon is played on live grass.
The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) in Yorkshire independently verifies Wimbledon’s court conditions, measuring moisture, hardness, and even counting grass blades to assess durability.
“And then every day we get that data,” Stubley said. “Each court will have its own microclimate. … So we’re constantly number crunching. … When we’re getting those hardness readings and it’s saying that Court 14 is firmer than Centre Court, we can then add a little bit more water to 14 and a little less to Centre Court so we keep those numbers the same.”
Challenges from Play
Wimbledon’s courts also face wear from players like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, whose play styles resemble “cheese grater” effects on the grass.
Stubley explained the damage: “If you look at the pimple of a grass-court tennis shoe, it’s almost like a cheese grater. As it cuts through the plant, it will shred leaves.” While serving spots darken due to repetitive use, sliding damage varies with each player’s style.
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
