Wimbledon, and a mutual love of tennis player Boris Becker, also brought together Jacqueline Webb-Watson and Nicola Dawson, forging a 40-year friendship.
Jacqueline, from Loughton in Essex, says her “love affair” with SW19 began in 1977 through listening to matches on the radio before her first visit with family in 1984.
“We arrived at 11:30 and walked straight in – I’m still baffled by the lack of queues that day,” the 58-year-old recalls.
By then, she had connected with fellow Becker fan Nicola and the pair had “great adventures” camping at Wimbledon over the years.
But her “absolute highlight” is watching the 2013 men’s semi-finals – the year Andy Murray eventually claimed his first title.
“That day was pure magic. Hot, sunny, incredible matches from a prime seat on Centre Court, and the sheer joy of seeing a British man reach the final. I’ll admit, I definitely shed a tear when Andy finally won it,” Jacqueline says.
She said Wimbledon’s “distinct Britishness… the traditions, the immaculate grounds and the legendary organisation” of the queue made it the best tournament on the circuit.
“Having visited all four Grand Slams, I might be biased, but Wimbledon is truly in a league of its own,” Jacqueline adds.
