Wimbledon Fever: Making the Most of Tennis Season This Summer 

You know the drill, every year Wimbledon fever hits the UK and suddenly the whole country becomes obsessed with tennis. People who haven’t picked up a racket since school are suddenly sat on the sofa commentating like experts, everyone’s craving strawberries and cream, and there’s Pimm’s flowing at any given opportunity.

There’s just something about Wimbledon season that feels like the proper start of summer and lovely how many people get caught up in it, even people who couldn’t name a single player the rest of the year and whether you’re a genuine tennis fan or just in it for the Pimm’s and the drama, it’s hard not to get swept up in it all. 

So if Wimbledon fever tends to hit you too, here are a few ways to really make the most of it this summer…

Host a Wimbledon Watch Party at Home

I love hosting, and even more than hosting, I love having a theme. Whether it’s a bank holiday BBQ, a Halloween night or an excuse to get everyone together for a big match, I’m always looking for ways to pull things together and give the whole thing a bit of a feel. Wimbledon is perfect for this.

My suggestion would be to keep the food really classic and lean into the red and white colour scheme of the Wimbledon classic –  strawberries and cream. You could accompany it with big jugs of Pimm’s, tomato and mozzarella salads to go alongside whatever you’re serving for your main dish and maybe even strawberry and marshmallow skewers, which look gorgeous on a table and keep that red and white running through everything. Pimm’s is naturally that lovely reddish colour too, so without even trying too hard, your whole spread starts to feel properly Wimbledon without being over the top.

You could also add in a few little tennis-themed touches if you wanted, green napkins for the grass court vibe and of course the matches on in the background so there’s always something to watch and chat about.

For the kids, a really fun twist would be setting up a little mocktail station. Let them make their own non-alcoholic cocktails and come up with tennis-inspired names for them. Things like “The Ace” or “Match Point Punch” they can enjoy getting creative and it keeps them involved in the celebraions rather than just watching the grown-ups drink Pimm’s.

Time it around when there’s a good match on and you’ve got yourself a really lovely afternoon that feels special without being a huge amount of effort.

Dress the Part, Whether You’re Playing or Not

One of the things I love about Wimbledon season is that tennis style just works for summer, full stop. You don’t have to be heading to a court to wear it, it’s that sporty, clean, put-together look that works just as well for the school run, a weekend in the garden, or actually getting out on the courts.

adidas have got some really lovely tennis pieces out at the moment,  and what I like about them is that they don’t look like you’re trying too hard. Their tennis shorts and tennis clothing are comfortable enough to genuinely play in but stylish enough that you’d happily wear them out and about. And their tennis shoes are the kind of trainers that can look good whether you’re pairing them with a skirt or actually running around a court in them.

I think that’s the beauty of the tennis look, it’s one of those rare sports where the clothes translate really naturally into everyday wear. So whether Wimbledon fever has you booking a court or just fancying a bit of a sporty summer wardrobe refresh, it’s worth having a look at what’s out there.

Get Out and Actually Play

One of the most wonderful things about Wimbledon fever is that it genuinely inspires people to pick up a racket who might not normally. And the brilliant thing is, it doesn’t have to mean joining a tennis club or spending a fortune. Most local parks have tennis courts that are either completely free or really cheap to book  and a lot of them now have an online booking system where you just pay on your phone and get sent a code to unlock the court. It’s so easy, and it takes away that barrier of feeling like tennis is something you need to be a member somewhere to do.

You absolutely do not need to be any good for it to be a brilliant afternoon out. There’s something really lovely about all of you being equally terrible, chasing balls into the next court, and laughing at each other’s attempts at a serve. It’s one of those activities that gets everyone properly moving without it feeling like exercise, which is always a win in my book.

So whether you’re hosting a Wimbledon afternoon with Pimm’s and strawberry skewers, refreshing your summer wardrobe with some sporty pieces you’ll actually live in, or dragging the family to a park court for a laugh, enjoy. Wimbledon fever only comes around once a year, and if it gets you eating strawberries, wearing nice trainers and actually being active outdoors, there are definitely worse things to get swept up in!