[Harlaxton ’11] Tennis Courts, Busy Streets, and Lots of Sights in London

by Jon Warren

Today was the Fighting Automatons first full day in London. Groups divided up after breakfast and went on their separate ways into one of the largest cities in the world. It turned out to be a day filled with seeing many tourist attractions and having dreams come true.

My group’s journey took us to the home of the tennis tournament know solely as The Championships, Wimbledon. The over 40 acre private country club features over 20 tennis courts including 15 made of grass. The museum was the most intriguing and engaging museum that I had ever been to. With the history of tennis being told in the museum from the first Wimbledon tournament 125 years ago to the present day title win of Novak Djokovic just a month ago. The museum featured touch screen tables with information on past and present players.

The tour took us to areas of the grounds off limits when The Championships are being held. We were allowed to see the famous Center and No. 1 courts as well as the court in which Isner and Mahut battled to the longest game in tennis history lasting over 10 hours and spanning three days. We went to the press room and were able to set on the stage where the players sit after games for interviews. We ended the tour with a trip down the hall of champions which had the names of all winners whether it was doubles or singles in the history of Wimbledon.

My group proceeded to take advantage of our day pass on the London Underground and visited Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Other groups had the same idea as some visited the palace and iconic clock tower. Some went to plays and musicals, while some did shopping and dining at the Hard Rock Café on their 40th anniversary.
London definitely is a city filled with adventures and iconic tourist attractions. We have one more full day in London before boarding our plane Monday afternoon to head back to the United States. What adventures will await us tomorrow in the host of the 2012 Olympic Games?