Building a Tennis Wonderland: Our Team’s Journey at the Wimbledon Qualifiers
Would you believe there’s a whole qualifying tournament for Wimbledon? We’ve been putting up stretch tents there for a years and watched it get bigger and bigger.
Unlike the main Championships, Wimbledon Qualifying flies a bit under the radar, but it’s a fantastic chance for tennis fans to see top-level competition at an affordable price. Tickets are easy to get, making it a great day out for anyone who loves the sport.
During the Wimbledon qualifiers, our team tackles setting up a variety of stretch tents across the site for different uses. The centre piece is the guest village, where we install a massive 15x42m stretch tent. This giant structure is actually made up of four interconnected 10.5 x 15m sections with gutters, ensuring a weatherproof space. It takes a full day to assemble and ensure all the finishing touches are perfect.
Just imagine the teamwork it takes to put up a single 15x42m stretch tent! It’s a massive undertaking that requires 40 poles, hundreds (around 370 to be exact) of carabiners, and a staggering 500 meters of rope. The key is in the groundwork and meticulous preparation. Once the structure is standing, the real magic happens with the tensioning process – that’s what ensures everything stays taut and secure, especially in unpredictable British weather.
We learned a valuable lesson last year. After meticulously prepping everything, we left the massive stretch tent on the ground to raise the next day. Big mistake! Those clever foxes decided it was a chew toy buffet, taking a liking to a few lugs and some rope (thankfully, the tent itself was spared). Needless to say, this year, the tents went straight up – no more tempting treats for our furry friends!
This year, we upped the Wimbledon qualifier experience by adding a brand new 15x21m stretch tent! It creates a fantastic L-shape with the existing 15x42m tent in the guest village, giving the whole area a real festival vibe. Once we add all the food stalls, furniture, and the big screen, it’ll be an amazing atmosphere for everyone to enjoy the tennis.
This year we added a brand new 15x21m stretch tent, forming a cool L-shape with the existing giant tent in the guest village. This creates a fantastic festival atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed day out. Imagine soaking up the sunshine (hopefully!) with friends, enjoying a refreshing Pimm’s on the lawn, and catching some top-notch tennis on the big screen – all surrounded by delicious food stalls and comfy furniture.
But it’s not just about the spectators. For players, the qualifiers are a fantastic experience. They get to compete in a high-pressure environment while enjoying a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the main Championships. It’s a great stepping stone, helping them adjust to the Wimbledon experience before taking on the bigger stage. So, whether you’re a tennis fanatic or just looking for a fun day out, the Wimbledon qualifiers are definitely worth checking out!
Witnessing the build of the qualifiers firsthand, I was blown away by the sheer number of pristine tennis courts. It never dawned on me how much goes into creating them! Apparently, it takes a significant amount of time to cultivate the grass to that perfect “tennis grade” (love the term!). What’s even more astonishing is that all these courts, for both practice and matches, were created specifically for the qualifiers! It’s a testament to the immense effort behind this event.
Beyond the impressive guest village tents, our team provided a variety of shelters across the qualifiers site. A cozy 6x9m stretch tent offered a dedicated space for players to relax. For the future stars, we set up a 10.5x15m stretch tent for the learning team, complete with mini tennis courts, creating a fun and educational zone for children and schools. Finally, we ensured the comfort of the ball boys and girls with a unique 6x9m tent on a truss structure. This space-saving design minimized its footprint on the hard court and cleverly incorporated weights within the legs for stability. It truly showcases how we can adapt our tents to meet diverse needs at the qualifiers.
Our team poured two solid days into building the stretch tents, working together seamlessly. The final morning was a whirlwind of activity, ensuring everything was perfect for the event. By the time we left, the transformation was incredible! Stretch tents stood tall, marquees were gleaming, and vibrant graphics brought the space to life. Freshly painted tennis courts awaited the players, lines crisp and inviting. Just a few more finishing touches – furniture, catering units, and voila – the qualifiers were ready to welcome everyone! It was a truly collaborative effort, and the end result was a spectacular venue.
