This week in schools, assembly and classroom discussions have focused on one of the most iconic sporting events in the world – the Wimbledon tennis tournament – and the inspiring journey of experienced player Venus Williams. Wimbledon 2023: What's Happening? The world-famous Wimbledon tennis tournament is currently underway and will conclude on 16th July 2023. This year, Venus Williams made her 24th appearance in the singles draw at Wimbledon after receiving a wild card entry. At 43 years old, Venus remains a five-time singles champion and last reached the final in 2017, two decades after her first appearance. Venus Williams: Perseverance on the World Stage Venus Williams' tennis career showcases numerous highs and lows. Even after being knocked out in the first round at Wimbledon this year, she continues to demonstrate perseverance and resilience. Some of her quotes highlight her mindset and attitude: "In my mind, I’m always the best. If I walk out on the court and I think the next person is better, I’ve already lost." "You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there." "Losses have propelled me to even bigger places, so I understand the importance of losing." "You can always achieve more than you thought you could. There are moments when I don’t know how I won that match – it was actually impossible, but it happened." Venus' story is an excellent example of how sporting success is often shaped by determination, self-belief, and learning from setbacks. Her journey resonates with both players and fans around the globe. Understanding Wimbledon: Tournament Overview The Wimbledon Championships is the oldest surviving tennis tournament in the world, first held in 1877 in London, UK. Today, the event features 128 players in both the Men’s and Women’s Singles draws, along with doubles, juniors, seniors, and wheelchair competitions. The tournament is the only Grand Slam played on grass courts. There are 18 grass championship courts, 20 grass practice courts, and 8 American clay courts at the venue. The winners of the Men’s and Women’s Singles will each receive £2.35 million and a prestigious trophy. Slazenger has been the official supplier of tennis balls since 1902, and yellow balls were first used in 1986 for better visibility on TV. Around 250 ball boys and girls, who train hard for selection, manage ball collection during matches. Officials, including Chair and Line Umpires, ensure the rules are followed and points are correctly awarded. Wimbledon Through History Wimbledon’s traditions and format have evolved over time. The first event in 1877 had only 22 men competing, with 200 spectators. By 2019, over 500,000 people attended. The Championships expanded to include women’s singles in 1884, survived world wars, and underwent changes such as moving to a new location and updating ball colours for visibility. The Value of Participation: Winning, Losing, and Learning More than just winning, Wimbledon and similar events encourage reflection on sportsmanship, effort, and the journey itself. Many lessons are learned in moments of defeat as much as in victory. At school assemblies, students are encouraged to think about their feelings and experiences related to winning and losing, the importance of respectful behaviour, and the goals we set beyond simply coming first. "Our behaviour, actions and words affect others. We can show respect to ourselves and each other, whether we win or lose." "Tennis players from all over the world compete at Wimbledon. Someone’s colour, nationality or origins should never be the reason they cannot participate." "Our education should help us to fully develop our personalities, talents, and abilities. We can learn so much from both winning and losing." Essential Wimbledon Vocabulary Experienced: Having skill or knowledge from performing an activity for a long time. Persevered: Continuing efforts despite difficulty or failure. Perspective: A particular way of thinking about something, based on experience or belief. Succeed: Achieving a goal you have aimed for. Underway: Currently happening. Wild card: An extra opportunity to qualify for a competition, typically used for entries outside the standard qualification process. Classroom Activities and Reflections To make the Wimbledon story relevant and engaging, classrooms have discussed topics such as tournament structures, the impact of different playing surfaces, and designing experiments to measure tennis ball bounce. Some classes hosted their own tournaments (e.g., bean bag throws, rock-paper-scissors), reflecting on emotions felt and the importance of showing respect as both winners and participants. Students also explored differences between today’s tournament and its origins, engaged in creative activities such as poster making, and discussed what makes an event or achievement prestigious. Discussion Points for Students and Families Have you ever watched Wimbledon? Would you like to? How do you feel when you win or lose? What lessons have you learned from both experiences? What personality traits do you think athletes like Venus Williams need to succeed? Can you think of goals beyond just winning when participating in competitions? How do you think clothing and equipment changes have affected play throughout Wimbledon’s history? Explore More and Join the Discussion * Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample * Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss * Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
