Things you may not know about Wimbledon

Some lesser known Wimbledon facts:

Seven women in the Open Era have won Wimbledon without ever reaching a world number 1 ranking: Ann Haydon Jones, Virginia Wade, Conchita Martinez, and Jana Novotna. Prior to the Open Era, there were three such women--Kathleen McKane, Cilly Aussem and Karen Hantze Susman.

Chris Evert, who won the championship three times, also lost in the final seven times. Four of her losses were to rival Martina Navratilova.

Martina Hingis, Venus Williams and Serena Williams all lost on the former Court 2, known as the Graveyard of Champions.

The design for the Venus Rosewater Dish comes from a pewter piece that is part of the collection in the Louvre.

According to the groundskeeping department at Wimbledon, the courts are faster now because creeping red fescue grass is no longer mixed with perennial ryegrass.

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club was originally known as the All England Croquet Club.

Kirsten Dunst, who starred in the 2004 film, Wimbledon, did her own serving and hit the ball for close-ups (the ball was digitally inserted into the film the rest of the time). She reported having difficulty with the serve, but was pleased with her backhand.

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, whose support and presence so many of us miss, is a major supporter of young musicians in the UK. She also spent some time as a music teacher. The Duchess (who chose to drop the HRH from her title), presented the Venus Rosewater Dish for many years.