Wimbledon Spans the Globe
The Championships, Wimbledon, commenced Monday on the green grass lawns of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Grand Slam events such as Wimbledon, U.S. Open, French Open and Australian Open have all expanded their marketing activities far beyond the grounds of the tournament itself and taken the tournament directly to the fans even continents away from the venue. In Paris earlier this month, there were special events
at the City Hall during Roland Garros. At the 2008 U.S. Open, there were similar activities in New York City including a “pop-up” shop where tennis fans in New York, who couldn’t attend the matches, could purchase official tournament t-shirts, etc. The Australian Open has expanded its marketing efforts across Asia with special promotions in China. This year, Wimbledon can be seen and “felt” across the pond at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Tennis fans can watch the matches live from Centre Court while also having the very rare opportunity to hit on a temporary grass tennis court at Rockefeller Center courtesy of Wimbledon sponsor, HSBC. On Monday, there was an exhibition match with former Grand Slam champions, Jim Courier and Jennifer Capriati. There were also tennis clinics. These global extensions of the Grand Slam tournaments are bringing tennis to fans… wherever they are around the world!
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