The redeveloped gallery has been designed by the leading exhibition designers, Mather & Co, who have worked closely with The All England Lawn Tennis Club for more than 15 years. Mather & Co was also responsible for the current museum design, which was completed back in 2006.
‘The Open Era’ showcases five different themes throughout the gallery – with the main aim of the gallery to put the visitor in the players shoes.
In the Broadcasting at Wimbledon part of the gallery, visitors are faced with an interactive AV graphic wall – explaining how people have consumed information about Wimbledon over the years – from the oldest coverage to current day technologies.
Visitors can delve deeper into many of the experiences of top players from the last sixty years. One interactive compares Arthur Ashe’s winning, Wimbledon year in 1975 to Emma Raducanu’s whirlwind experience in 2021.
As the Dressing Rooms at Wimbledon are private spaces, not part of the official Tour, never filmed or publicised on social media – the interactive bench and lockers in the gallery allows a ‘behind the scenes’ experience. Visitors may choose from a push-button menu of stories about the Dressing Rooms – as told by the players themselves – allowing a more emotional connection.
In the rivalries section of the gallery, there are sculptured mannequins of six legendary tennis players including Roger Federer and Martina Navratilova, in iconic poses. Behind the mannequins will play a video show, which gives the viewer a flavour of watching great rivals compete on Centre Court, condensed into a few minutes - multiple matches are combined to give the impression of one continuous game.
‘The Open Era’ is now open to the public.
