Use of English PRO

(0) THE Wimbledon Championship is the world's oldest tennis tournament and is considered (1) ............ many to be the most prestigious. Founded in 1877, Wimbledon is one of the four 'grand slam' tournaments, the others being the French Open, the Australian Open and the US Open, and the only one to (2) ............ played on grass. It (3) ............ place each July and lasts for two weeks, ending in the ladies' and gentlemen's 'singles' finals. The men's prize is a large trophy, which has been awarded every (4) ............ year since 1877, and the ladies' prize is a large silver plate. In addition to receiving the honour (5) ............ being that year's Wimbledon Champion, each winner receives more than one million pounds in prize money. (6) ............ though the competition occurs in the summer time, games are often cancelled (7) ............ to bad weather. Only one court, Central Court, has a retractable roof to protect its players and spectators from the British summer weather. Popular with celebrities and members of the royal family, tickets for a Wimbledon final are very expensive, (8) ............ are the food and drink sold to spectators. A small box of strawberries can cost £15!