Not many can dispute that
Wimbledon is the biggest tennis event in the world and 2021 proved quite profitable for the organizers.
Wimbledon have made a £44 million profit despite a Covid-19 hampered 2021 championships in which they were forced to hold fewer spectators. This year’s Grand Slam was able to go ahead albeit with reduced
capacity crowds for the first week and returned £44 million ($58
million) worth of profits. This amount also comes after further costs
were incurred when the organisers block-booked a hotel in Central
London.
The figure was released to All England Club members this
month and indicates that the Grass-court Slam has overcome the worst of
the pandemic with minimal lasting damage. Whilst the £44 million figure is £6.8 million
less than the profits made prior to the pandemic in 2019, where profits
reached £50.8 million ($67 million), the profits are still healthy,
especially amidst a global pandemic.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) will receive the majority of the
profits, but it was also announced that the British game will receive a
£22 million ($29 million) bonus from the Government. This money is
being granted so that public courts can be repaired in a nationwide
attempt to ignite interest in tennis, especially in the wake of Emma
Raducanu’s shock US Open win.