Wimbledon's Green Secret
Wimbledon Courts Remain Green Amidst Record Heatwave Through Grass Research
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While much of London's grass turned brown during a record-breaking heat wave last week, Wimbledon's courts stayed lush and green. AP News reported that the All England Club's 38 tournament and practice courts held up as temperatures across Britain and Europe soared to historic highs.
Water demand surged across the region and outdoor usage spiked. But the courts at Wimbledon looked as pristine as ever — a result of years of careful science, not luck.
The Science Behind Wimbledon's Perfect Grass
Neil Stubley, the All England Club's head of courts and horticulture, leads a team of 31 groundskeepers. According to AP News, all 18 tournament courts and 20 practice courts have been sown with perennial ryegrass since 2001. This grass was chosen because it can handle extreme heat and heavy foot traffic far better than older varieties.
Stubley and his team don't just water and hope for the best. Tubes are installed on Centre Court and four other courts. A probe is inserted into those tubes to measure soil moisture. That data tells the team exactly when and how much to water — no guesswork involved.
London's Lawns Scorched While Wimbledon Stayed Cool
The heat wave that hit Britain last week was record-setting. KTVB reported that grass across much of London turned brown as temperatures climbed and water demand skyrocketed. Public parks and private gardens struggled while the rest of the city baked.
Wimbledon sits in southwest London, just like any other neighborhood. It has no private water supply system, according to AP News. Yet its courts remained green. The difference came down entirely to preparation, research, and a highly trained grounds crew.
Temperatures Stay Below 26°C During Tournament Week
Despite the wider heat crisis, temperatures at Wimbledon this week have not risen above 26°C (79°F), according to AP News. Forecasts show temperatures expected to keep climbing, but the grounds team has been preparing for exactly that scenario.
The combination of heat-resistant ryegrass, soil moisture monitoring, and a 31-person crew means the courts can handle what nature throws at them. Stubley's years of research have turned Wimbledon's groundskeeping into one of the most sophisticated grass management operations in sports.
Years of Research Paid Off During Europe's Heat Crisis
The 2022 European heat wave was one of the most extreme on record. Grass everywhere wilted. Leader Telegram noted that rising outdoor usage made things worse for public green spaces across Britain. But Wimbledon's courts were built to survive exactly this kind of stress.
The switch to perennial ryegrass in 2001 was a turning point. Combined with the soil moisture monitoring system added in later years, the All England Club turned a weather vulnerability into a solved problem. While London's parks go brown, Wimbledon stays green — and the players never notice the difference.
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