Action and reaction: Courtside at Wimbledon

Action and reaction: Courtside at Wimbledon

Wimbledon is the world’s biggest tennis tournament. It has a very unique look. It is played on grass, players are required to participate in white apparel and royal visitors make appearances in the stands.

In 2022 AP’s photo team of Kirsty Wigglesworth, Alastair Grant and Alberto Pezzali have worked tirelessly to convey just that look and feel.

The main courts - Centre Court and Court 1 – where most of the big matches take place are permanently staffed. All matches on these courts, from early afternoon until sometimes late at night, are covered. A roof and lights on both show courts enable matches to often go on until very late. Centre Court also has the Royal Box and on a daily basis we get the attendees list for consideration.

Britain's Liam Broady celebrates winning a point against Australia's Alex De Minaur in a men's third round singles match on day six of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Saturday, July 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 400mm F-Stop: 2.8 | Shutter Speed: 2000 | ISO: 200

Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge smile as they sit in the Royal box on Centre Court as they watch the men's singles quarterfinal match between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Italy's Jannik Sinner on day nine of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 400mm | F-Stop: 3.2 | Shutter Speed: 1/2000 | ISO: 160

The third photographer is responsible for covering the outside courts. They will have a list of matches and requests that they must prioritize. They will be assisted by the main court photographers as they have a couple of hours between the start of play on the outside courts and when play commences on the show courts.  

In the first week of Wimbledon, covering the outside courts can be a marathon day of shooting matches and negotiating routes from court to court amongst spectators.

By the time the second week comes around and almost all big matches move to Centre and Court 1, the outside court photographer will become the second shooter on the big games. They usually shoot from the roof position to give a different perspective and action with a cleaner background.

Taylor Fritz of the US returns to Britain's Alastair Gray in a second round men's single match on day four of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Thursday, June 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 70-200mm | F-Stop: 2.8| Shutter Speed: 1/2500 | ISO: 100

All images are remotely edited via an AP-developed software called Expedite. The tournament is a two-editor job.  One editor is onsite, and one is in a remote location. Photos are expedited to the editors directly from the camera via Wifi or cable.  We expect images on the wire within minutes after action, reaction and controversy happen.

Impact, variety, and creativity are paramount to AP’s photographic coverage of Wimbledon.  The tournament is one of the few places where players may dive for a shot. It is a must-have photo.  You want bold, tight action, but also wider images that show the surroundings and that this event is played on grass. You also want pictures that capture the games, sets, and matches accurately while elevating the reporting in an original, dynamic and memorable way. 


The Shot is a monthly series showcasing top photojournalism from staff photographers at The Associated Press. Each month, AP photographers will share the stories behind some of their iconic imagery.

Produced by AP News staff. The sponsor was not involved in the creation of this content.


Coco Gauff of the US serves to Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse during their singles tennis match on day two of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 400mm | F-Stop: 2.8 | Shutter Speed: 1/3200 | ISO: 80

Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his third round men's singles match against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas on day six of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Saturday, July 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 400mm | F-Stop: 2.8| Shutter Speed: 1/2000 | ISO: 3200

Spain's Rafael Nadal returns to Botic Van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands in a men's singles fourth round match on day eight of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, July 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 400mm plus 1.4 Teleconverter | F-Stop: 4.0 | Shutter Speed: 1/1250 | ISO: 2000

Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko serves to Germany's Jule Niemeier in a third round women's singles match on day five of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 24mm | F-Stop: 2.8 | Shutter Speed: 1/8000 | ISO: 320

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during a third round women's singles match on day six of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Saturday, July 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 400mm | F-Stop: 2.8 | Shutter Speed: 1/3200 | ISO: 100

Croatia's Petra Martic prepares to serve to Jessica Pegula of the US during their women's third round singles match on day six of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Saturday, July 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Model: Sony a9II | Lens: Sony 400mm | F-Stop: 5.6 | Shutter Speed: 1/32000 | ISO: 3200

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur serves to Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic in a women's singles quarterfinal match on day nine of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 135mm | F-Stop: 1.8 | Shutter Speed: 1/26000 | ISO: 50

Belgium's David Goffin celebrates defeating Frances Tiafoe of the US in a fourth round men's singles match on day seven of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday July 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 70-200mm | F-Stop: 2.8 | Shutter Speed: 1/1600 | ISO: 160

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis during their singles tennis match on day three of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Wednesday, June 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 135mm | F-Stop: 1.8 | Shutter Speed: 1/4000 | ISO: 160

Botic Van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands chases after the ball as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal in a men's singles fourth round match on day eight of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, July 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 50mm | F-Stop: 14 | Shutter Speed: 1/25 | ISO: 500

Britain's Cameron Norrie celebrates defeating Tommy Paul of the U.S. in a men's fourth round singles match on day seven of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Model: Sony a9II | Lens: Sony 100-400mm | F-Stop: 5.6 | Shutter Speed: 1/2500 | ISO: 5000

Croatia's Petra Martic celebrates winning against Jessica Pegula of the US during their women's third round singles match on day six of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Saturday, July 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Model: Sony a9II | Lens: Sony 400mm | F-Stop: 5.6 | Shutter Speed: 1/12800 | ISO: 2500

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur celebrates defeating Belgium's Elise Mertens during a fourth round women's singles match on day seven of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Model: Sony a9II | Lens: Sony 100-400mm | F-Stop: 5.6 | Shutter Speed: 1/1250 | ISO: 6400

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Korea's Kwon Soonwoo in a men's first round singles match on day one of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, June 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Model: Sony a1 | Lens: Sony 70-200mm | F-Stop: 2.8 | Shutter Speed: 1/2000 | ISO: 500


Spotlight is the blog of AP Images, the world’s largest collection of historical and contemporary photos.

Produced by AP News staff. The sponsor was not involved in the creation of this content.

Follow AP photographers on Twitter

Follow AP News on Instagram