On a sun-dappled morning at the All England Club, the scent of freshly cut grass lingers as the first ball is poised to bounce—Wimbledon 2024 is about to begin. From 29 June to 11 July, the world’s most storied tennis tournament returns not just with the familiar thud of serves and roar of the crowd, but with a renewed commitment to inclusivity, visibility, and fairer rewards for players. The BBC’s most comprehensive coverage yet ensures no fan is left on the sidelines, literally or figuratively. For the first time, blind and partially sighted audiences can experience Centre Court drama through a new audio-described stream on BBC iPlayer—an innovation co-designed with the visually impaired community, marking a quiet revolution in sports broadcasting.
This year’s tournament unfolds against a backdrop of record-breaking investment in players. The total prize fund has surged to £64.2 million, the largest annual increase in Wimbledon’s history—an uplift of £10.7 million, or 20%. Champions in both men’s and women’s singles will each collect £3.6 million, while even first-round losers walk away with £80,000. Over £6 million has been allocated to qualifying players, a 25% increase, acknowledging the grueling path to Centre Court. Yet players are still pushing for more, staging symbolic protests by limiting media appearances to 15 minutes in the first week—a nod to the fact that only about 15% of Grand Slam revenue currently goes to prize money.
On the court, the absence of Carlos Alcaraz due to wrist injury shifts the spotlight to world number one Jannik Sinner, the favourite to claim his first Wimbledon title. Novak Djokovic, ever the titan, chases history: a 25th Grand Slam title and an eighth Wimbledon crown to match Roger Federer’s men’s record. On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek defends her title, while Aryna Sabalenka eyes the one major that eludes her. British hopes rest on Emma Raducanu and Cameron Norrie, joined by wildcard talents like 17-year-old Hannah Klugman and rising star Jack Draper. The BBC’s coverage brings it all to life—live from all 18 courts on iPlayer and the BBC Sport app, daily highlights, and expert insight from legends like John McEnroe, Billie Jean King, and Andre Agassi.
Beyond the trophies and titles, this Wimbledon feels different. It’s in the audio-described commentary allowing a blind fan to hear the arc of a lob, in the record payouts affirming players’ worth, in the young Brits stepping onto grass they’ve dreamed of playing on. As the fortnight unfolds, it’s not just about who lifts the silverware—but who gets to feel part of the story.