This is Wimbledon — the third grand slam tournament from the calendar year — but the venue and the competition are not quite as most know it. At this tennis games club, the crowds are smaller, the cheers quieter, and the courts packed nearer together than on the All England Golf club three miles away.
While the Wimbledon major draw may not get underway until next week, for more than 250 players the trip to get there has currently begun.
The four-day qualification tournament within the London district of Roehampton can be a golden ticket for the Wimbledon main stage — a place at which a few players have desired competing their entire careers.
“I have not actually been to the primary set at Wimbledon since my final years in juniors in 2012. It’s been 10 years, ” American Mitchell Krueger tells CNN Sports activity .
“And actually, where we stay is right alongside the gate in Wimbledon. Every day Now i’m so close — I can see it, yet I haven’t in fact been through the gates in 10 years, so that would obviously be amazing to be generally there once again. ”
Prior to Monday, Krueger had never won a fit at the Wimbledon qualifiers — affectionately referred to as “qualies. ” But a 6-1 6-4 victory against Britain’s Luca Pow noticed the 28-year-old have a small but significant step towards the major draw.
“I’ve played a lot of close fits in the first rounds, but I’ve never ever actually got within the hump, ” Krueger continues. “The idea that I was able to near to out is really big. I’m pumped to maintain my grass court season going. inch
Qualifying benefits
Most players be eligible for a grand slams via their ranking placement, but up to eight spaces in each draw are reserved for wild credit cards — decided from the tournament organizers — and 16 intended for qualifiers, meaning these ranked well outside the top 100 come with an unlikely shot at grand slam beauty.
Until last year, simply no qualifier had actually won a grand slam title. But Emma Raducanu’s victory against Layla Fernandez in the US Open final produced one of tennis’ most famous storylines because the then-18-year-old triumphed with out dropping a set throughout the tournament.
Even progressing by means of qualification is no indicate feat. Players should either win most of three of their fits, or hope they can pick up a spot being a “lucky loser” following a late withdrawal through the main draw.
“There’s always going to end up being some nerves, specifically for a slam, yet I think the good thing about arriving through qualifying is you kind of get most of that behind you, ” says Krueger, who first experienced for the main draw of a grand throw at the 2018 ALL OF US Open.
“You’ll have got three tough matches under your belt, while everyone else is arriving with nothing. When you can handle it literally, it’s definitely an advantage to be able to qualify. inch
Achievement in qualifying may also be a substantial payday for those lower down rankings.
The particular men’s and women’s qualifying singles have a combined prize finance of £3, 648, 000 (around $4, 465, 000) — a 26% increase on 2021 — and just getting to the very first round of the major draw is enough in order to earn an one-off payment of £50, 000 (around $61, 000).
‘Dream come true’
Only at that year’s Wimbledon qualifying, some courts are actually kitted out along with temporary stands, while at the others, spectators can take up a viewing position meters from your action, creating an intimate atmosphere for the gamers.
Modifying to the playing problems can take time — particularly for those with limited experience on grass courts. Switzerland’s Alexander Ritschard, positioned No . 192 on earth, is competing in only his second grass-court tournament.
“It’s super different. I’m absolutely not used to it, ” Ritschard tells CNN Sport after his 4-6-1 6-2 victory against Britain’s Stuart Parker. “But it’s definitely a fun surface with bounces I’ve never noticed before. I feel like I don’t have just as much ball control as I usually do on other courts.
“I’m furthermore surprised that lthough it is kind of fast, it is also kind of slow, inch he adds. “I can’t quite allow it to be out yet — I’m working on it. ”
Ritschard never played in the main pull of a grand throw, but he arrived close at this year’s French Open whenever he lost within the third round of qualifying. To go 1 step further at Wimbledon, he says, would be “very special. inch
“That would be a dream come true, for sure, ” he admits that. “Growing up, you always talk about Wimbledon as a kid.
“I would also just love to play on the main site — that would be great. All those courts look gorgeous… The last time I used to be there I think I was eight years old, just like a fan to go and watch. I have a tendency quite remember what it looks like. ”
Ranking points
Some gamers competing in being qualified have already graced Wimbledon’s main stage. Ukrainian Daria Snigur received the girls’ public title on Center Court three years back and is now bidding to compete in her first senior grand slam.
“I love the grass court, ” she tells CNN Sport after winning her opening qualifying match. “This is my favorite place… plus grass is my favorite surface area. Of course , I want to perform on the main attract. ”
Snigur is playing at Roehampton with all the flag of Ukraine pinned to her football kit and thoughts of her homeland close to her coronary heart.
Russian and Belarusian players have been banned from this year’s Wimbledon — the move that has proved divisive among players — and the ATP and WTA Tours have responded by stripping the tournament of all ranking points.
Snigur will be fully behind Wimbledon’s decision to exclude Russians and Belarusians, which she says is “very important” for her as an Ukrainian: “For me, it — with points or without points, ” she provides.
The removal of rating points from this year’s Wimbledon hasn’t deterred players from contending in the tournament, that will include nine from the top 10 players within the women’s rankings plus seven of the top ten in the men’s. The four absentees are usually due to injury and the exclusion of Ruskies and Belarusian gamers.
The tournament does have the added motivation of extra prize cash — the total purse is just over £40 million ($49 million), a 15. 2% increase on a year ago — but the respect of competing from Wimbledon is also an allure — because those playing in qualifying are completely aware.
For some, just stepping foot on the tournament’s manicured lawns may be the realization of years-long dreams.
“Wimbledon being Wimbledon, it’s always likely to be special regardless of whatever’s going on, inch says Krueger. “Playing on the main set of Wimbledon is everybody’s goal — it doesn’t matter if there are points or not. ”