Yes they started in 1977 and Alan Littles Wimbledon compendium listed all the wild cards to 2017.Not published in revised compendium but Wimbledon programmes show wild cards in the draw so can pick up on 2018 onwards
Just had a look at wild cards in recent times and in 2022 and 2021 seven were given. In 2022 5 were given to British players with the other 2 being Serena and Daria Saville of Australia who had been injured. In 2021 it was 6 British and the other to Samsonova of Russia. Emma was a late edition to the list because of success at Nottingham. In 2019 only 3 wild cards were awarded . They were to Harriet and Katie S. and Niculescu of Rumania. In 2018 eight were awarded. 6 were to British players and the other 2 were Smitkova of CZ Republic and future Wimbledon runner up Ons Jabeur. 2017 was 6 with 4 Brits. 2016 was 6 with 3 Brits. 2015 was 5 with 3 Brits. Ostapenko as Wimbledon junior champion the previous year was awarded a wildcard. 2014 was 8 with 3 Brits. Vera Zvonareva as a previous runner up received a wild card. 2013 was 8 with 5 Brits and 3 overseas players. 2012 was another year with 8 but Heather was removed from the list. Excluding Heather there were 3 Brits and 4 overseas including Ash Barty who was Wimbledon junior champion the previous year. They have definitely been reduced in recent years. 2011 included the most successful wild card in the year in question and that was Sabine Lisicki who reached the semi finals. However when the wild cards started in 1977 there were only 6 recipients. In 1983 it was increased to 8. Julie Pullin had the worst record for Wild cards having 9 between 1994 and 2003 and not winning a match.
I really now believe that all 5 British players have performed well enough on grass to receive a WC. Sorry if this has been answered before but when will they be announced?
You conveniently ignored my comment saying that it was hardly a ''tantrum'' which calling someone unprofessional certainly isn't. Indiana is right about your latest comment re Katie B and Jodie
-- Edited by dodrade on Sunday 18th of June 2023 11:59:34 PM
Such a shame all 5 dont get it. Agree that at the moment that Harriet is likely to miss out, but her form hasnt been bad. Lost to Maria in 3 close sets, and the winner of Nottingham, and has scored a top 30 win. Would be first in line in previous years