On Friday 27th September 2024, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Jules Pine, the Deputy Mayor for planning, approved Wimbledon Tennis’ expansion plan, but this has sparked concern amongst locals. 

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), the host of the prestigious Wimbledon Championships since 1877, applied for a £200 million expansion involving the construction of 39 new courts – including one 8,000 seat show court, to help enhance the experience for visitors.

They claim the expansion will keep the Championship the pinnacle of the sport by allowing the tournament’s qualifying to be held in Wimbledon rather than its current location in Roehampton, alongside improving both the training and overall facilities. 

The AELTC’s official website states that the new development could increase daily attendance by 10,000, boost the economy, provide more jobs and attract more tourists.

The project involves building new courts on the former Wimbledon Park Golf Course, which the AELTC purchased for £65 million in 2018, gifting a windfall to the members of the golf club.

A 23-acre, public park will also be created from the existing private land and the lake and its facilities will be restored to promote biodiversity and recreational activities, such as sailing and open water swimming.

You would think that the proposed benefits of the expansion would make it ‘advantage’ AELTC, however, many locals are displeased by the imminent project, epitomised by the ‘Save Wimbledon Park’ campaign group who continue to protest, encouraging locals to sign petitions in hope of change.

I visited Wimbledon Park where I spoke to local residents about the expansion and what they thought it would mean for them.

Many agreed that the project was unnecessary, with one man saying ‘Wimbledon’s history is enough to keep it at the top of the sport - the renowned event is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and, as the only Grand Slam that still plays its tennis on grass courts, it sets itself apart from the rest’.

Local tennis enthusiast, Chantel Everrett said ‘What is the point of constructing this huge complex for it to sit there unused for most of the year?’ and ‘I worry about the loss of green space’. 

In fact, large areas of the golf course being removed for the development is a key reason why many do not support the plan.

Wimbledon resident Colin Bishop said ‘The traffic around the area will be much worse’, worrying that the increase of people and activity around the complex would negatively affect the local area, including the commute to school and work.

Accordingly, whilst the AELTC’s expansion could be viewed as a huge step forward for the Championships, it is undeniable that it will have adverse effects on the local residents at the same time.

I contacted Save Wimbledon Park, asking what their next steps entailed following the planning approval, to which they replied ‘[We are] reviewing all options carefully and anticipate further legal action’, suggesting that the battle to save this heritage parkland might not be over yet.

So, rather than ‘game, set and match’ to the AELTC after the September planning approval, perhaps we are still waiting for the ‘match point’ to be played.