Wimbledon kicks off with capacity crowds for first time in three years

Wimbledon kicks off on Monday with full-capacity crowds descending on the grand slam tournament in south-west London for the first time in three years.

The 2022 championship marks the first time the grounds will be filled with up to 42,000 people every day since before the coronavirus pandemic.

The queue has returned for the first time since 2019 as spectators from around the world camp out and line up for hours to buy on-the-door tickets every day.

It comes after the tournament was cancelled in 2020 and then went ahead in 2021 but only with 50% crowd capacity.

Novak Djokovic will begin the defence of his 2021 title, while Rafael Nadal will make his return to the hallowed grass courts having not played at Wimbledon since 2019.

Eyes will also be on British player Emma Raducanu after she made history last summer as the first qualifier to win the US Open – and 23-time grand slam winner Serena Williams who is coming back as a wild card.

Both active British grand slam champions – Raducanu and Sir Andrew Murray – will play their first round matches on centre court on Monday.

Tenth seed Raducanu is nursing a side strain while Sir Andy, who is unseeded, is battling an abdominal strain.

This year, Wimbledon has barred Russian and Belarusian players in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Men’s world number one Daniil Medvedev and women’s number five Aryna Sabalenka are among those to be banned.

The decision has had serious repercussions, with the ATP and WTA deciding to withhold ranking points from the tournament.

Organisers have also announced record prize money for this summer’s tournament, with the two singles champions taking home £2 million.

The total prize money of £40.35 million is an 11.1% increase on 2021’s