This is the closing theme to the Wimbledon broadcasts that used to air on NBC. Those were the god ol' days! Too bad stupid ESPN has Wimbledon rights nowadays!
Remember how they used to run the day's highlights every night after the 11 o'clock news, prior to the Tonight Show. It was always like a little 5-6 minute coverage thing, and they'd always play this theme music behind it. As a kid, it was always the definitive sign that summer vacation was in effect: "I'm staying up late to watch Tonight Show, and Wimbledon is playing...."
Jason Zaremba Ha ha yeah Amen. Boris Becker diving for a volley on the grass, Ivan Lendl with his saw dust, John McEnroe... "Aw, C'mon! Chalk flew up!"... and of course Bjorn Borg the stoic king taming all of the theatrics! Man this music reminds me of playing tennis all day, tennis all night, then coming home and watching Wimbledon. Then do it all again tomorrow!
The best sports tv music ever....I can picture breakfast at Wimbledon and all of the greats of the late 70's to mid 80's when I hear this. The part from 0:30 to 1:20 gives me goose bumps.
Omg yes!!! It was especially good in the 80s... You wake up in the morning to a young Boris Becker and Stefon Edberg in their sweater vests playing on a fresh court with new tennis balls for an incredible match... just nothing like it! Only fans of tennis legends can truly understand this!!!
jpower316 I can be transported right back to the mid 80s when I hear this. The full piece would be played as a kind of wrap up of the tournament - it really captures the perseverance, grit and class of the event. A collage of photos from the tournament would roll by while this was playing culminating with the champions holding their trophies
I'm a huge sports fan. My Dad on the other hand doesn't really care for sports. That is except for Tennis. It'd be summertime, my Dad would take that Friday off work and we'd watch tennis together. Good times, and great memories.
I so agree. I miss the days when ESPN only covered the Australian Open. USA and CBS did a great job with the US Open back then too. TNT at one time split Wimbledon coverage with NBC and i thought they did a great job also.
Thanks for posting. It's the perfect tennis music. I can still hear Bud Collins describing the action on the late night Wimbledon updates as I hear the thwack of the tennis rackets.
espn has 5 more wimbledons till 2023 then hopefully nbc can get it back did you watch that kevin Anderson john isner 6hr 33 minute piece of insanity yesterday
Adore Adore Adore this song .Whem growing up in 70's I played this song on tape recorder behind me on Tennis Court while wearing my exact copies of Jimmy Connors Clothes. (the horizontal red white and blus stripes) Made me feel like I was at SW19 myself......
NBC Sports' Wimbledon theme music from 1979--early 1990's is arguably, along with the Oakland Raiders' theme music, the two greatest pieces of music ever composed for pro sports!
rob johnson they also played this at the very end of the championship telecast while showing a montage of photos from the fortnight, culminating with the champions holding their trophies in the air. What a great way to end Wimbledon. This music gives me chills to this day and transports me right back to the early - mid 80s.
Perfect call on going into break -- I remember it like it was yesterday. NBC Sports mastered theme music in the 80s and 90s -- Wimbledon, US Open, Ryder Cup, NFL just to name a few...
God it makes me feel old, but it does bring back some great memories hearing this piece. I was an 80s/90s kid, but I mostly think of Sampras and Agassi when I listen to it. It was an amazing time for American tennis, those guys and this tournament made me want to start to play the game. Thanks for sharing this.
LightningJanitorial I'm a little bit older, so for me it brings back memories of McEnroe, Connors, Borg and later, Becker (as well as Chris Evert and Martina Navratolova). But it's funny how certain music can take you back to specific moments.
Amen. As a kid, I didn't understand that about music. They were just songs. As I got older though, its the song and who and where I was when it came out. Kind of cool, yet kind of depressing at the same time lol. And I LOVED McEnroe and Chris Evert.
THE FIRST WIMBLEDON MATCH I EVER SAW WAS ON SATURDAY JULY 8 1978. WHEN BORG BEAT CONNORS IN STRAIGHT SETS. 6 - 2 6 - 2 6 - 3 WITH BORG FALLING TO HIS KNEES AFTER WINNING. MY LOVE FOR TENNIS BEGAN WITH THIS MATCH WITH BORG WINNING HIS 3RD OF FIVE WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS IN A ROW. 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980. WHEN I THINK OF THE WIMBLEDON MUSIC THEME ITS THE BEST I’VE EVER HEARD IT IS EPIC. PLAYED AS A BACK DROP BEHIND THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY BEFORE THE TONIGHT SHOW.
Greatest sports theme in sports history. So many memories. Graf, Agassi, Boris Becker, Ivanisevic, and the great PETE SAMPRAS. Truly the greatest theme in sports.
This was popular when Borg was king. I used to get excited waiting for the big show down to begin with this music and montage playing in the background.
So sad how Wimbledon has changed for the worse! Some time ago the AELT&CC removed the beautiful wicker furniture in the Players' Tea Room and replaced it with stainless steel furniture! God you know how bad things have gotten when you realize how even the British have declined as a society!
There are a lot of other people out there today seeking out Dick Enberg highlights and whatnot to remember him. For me, all I need to hear is this music. "Strawberries and cream, oh my! The rain has subsided and we have a *lovely* day here in southwest London! The tennis will be outstanding, as will the treats outside the All-England Club! Sampras, Agassi, Federer, the Williams Sisters and more, all on tap next as we're halfway through the fortnight. It's Breakfast at Wimbledon! And we're glad you can join us from across the pond here on N ... B ... C!" Now tell me you couldn't hear that in Enberg's voice over this music. RIP.
I also remember the great piece of music NBC-Sports would play toward the end of their 6-hour final Sunday broadcast of the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final and the Mixed Doubles Final while showing a series of still photos of the new men's singles champion. At the end of the 1981 Wimbledon final Sunday broadcast, Dick Enberg said, "Well John Kelley and John Russell have been following John McEnroe around with a still camera. Here's their report". And then NBC-Sports showed Kelley and Russell's photos of McEnroe in action during his matches that year at Wimbledon while a superb piece of electric guitar, synthesizer and tack piano music played! I wish someone would upload that great piece of music onto UA-cam. I don't know the title of that piece of music but you could call it, "The Champion's Theme". Sadly, the last time NBC Sports used that piece of music during the last Sunday of their Wimbledon broadcast was on the final Sunday of the 1982 Wimbledon Championships after Connors defeated McEnroe in five sets.
+Randy Davenport really? towards the end NBC was all over the place tape delaying matches so they could broadcast the Today Show .... no thanks. ESPN at least keeps the coverage flowing
ESPN's coverage is VASTLY better than NBC's ever was. I remember when NBC aired a great five-set semifinal match between Connors and Borg on tape delay at 1:30 am.
zelmoziggy Many sports were tape delayed back then. The NBA finals were tape delayed in 1970s and early 80s. I grew up in the 80s and early 90s, and the big matches were all live. Loved waking up early here on the east coast and watching the NBC broadcast of the semis and finals. You have your opinion, but Collins and Enberg, as well as the music, the broadcast itself was wayyyy better on NBC.
Can’t believe it’s been 10 years since NBC lost the rights to Wimbledon. Being a West Coaster off the United States, my only gripe was the tape delay of the Championships of Wimbledon. Other than that I thought NBC did an excellent job of covering Wimbledon.
this song was originally used by NFL Films for Super Bowl highlight movies. it was always great to hear when NBC had broadcasting rights to Wimbledon. idk why ESPN just doesn't pay for the rights to the song and they can use it
Gary Young i believe French open never left NBC which they are contracted to show until 2024. unfortunately the good ole days are gone. i miss wimbledon on NBC, miss U.S. Open on CBS
Gary Young basically what happened is that NBC did a swap deal with ESPN giving ESPN the rights to Wimbledon in exchange for NBC getting the rights to the British Open
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Remember how they used to run the day's highlights every night after the 11 o'clock news, prior to the Tonight Show. It was always like a little 5-6 minute coverage thing, and they'd always play this theme music behind it. As a kid, it was always the definitive sign that summer vacation was in effect: "I'm staying up late to watch Tonight Show, and Wimbledon is playing...."
+Jason Zaremba when we were so young and the whole world was before us!! Where has the time gone?
Same memories - dang I feel old! I miss the music and anticipation of the snippets of coverage.
haha I totally know what you're saying. I used to watch it with my dad all the time. He was and still is a huge tennis fan
NevrSilent Wow man you said it! Even though you were just a kid, listening to this made you feel like a king!
Jason Zaremba Ha ha yeah Amen. Boris Becker diving for a volley on the grass, Ivan Lendl with his saw dust, John McEnroe... "Aw, C'mon! Chalk flew up!"... and of course Bjorn Borg the stoic king taming all of the theatrics! Man this music reminds me of playing tennis all day, tennis all night, then coming home and watching Wimbledon. Then do it all again tomorrow!
The quintessential sound of Wimbledon. This song was and will always be synonymous with Wimbledon.
Yes! You nailed it my friend! Bravo!
YES! Always and Forever!
RIP the great Bud Collins. This epic music always reminds of Bud and Dick Enberg on the NBC telecast.
dave21286 Oh my!
Me too Dave. Loved it.
Nothing like Bud Collins! God bless that wonderful man
Dick Enberg is also dead as a doornail.
The best sports tv music ever....I can picture breakfast at Wimbledon and all of the greats of the late 70's to mid 80's when I hear this. The part from 0:30 to 1:20 gives me goose bumps.
Omg yes!!! It was especially good in the 80s... You wake up in the morning to a young Boris Becker and Stefon Edberg in their sweater vests playing on a fresh court with new tennis balls for an incredible match... just nothing like it! Only fans of tennis legends can truly understand this!!!
I miss breakfast at Wimbledon so much.
100 percent----that is the best part----why didn't ESPN take that music? NBC probably said no
Especially those brief high-pitched chime-like stingers
How come every time I hear this theme, I cry happy tears? Every single time!
Really brings back memories of watching my first Wimbledon when I was a boy and falling in love with the game.
jpower316 I can be transported right back to the mid 80s when I hear this. The full piece would be played as a kind of wrap up of the tournament - it really captures the perseverance, grit and class of the event. A collage of photos from the tournament would roll by while this was playing culminating with the champions holding their trophies
As Canadian children, when we heard this theme it meant one thing. SUMMER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!!!!!
One of the greatest sports themes of all time.
British Pomp + Electronic elements= This piece.
Amazing !
I can't hear this and not think of the late Bud Collins and so many memorable Wimbledons.
Bud and Dick Enberg. Great team
It reminds me of NBC's incredible coverage of this sensational tournament. Breakfast at Wimbledon lives on forever.
Forever and ever
I'm a huge sports fan. My Dad on the other hand doesn't really care for sports. That is except for Tennis. It'd be summertime, my Dad would take that Friday off work and we'd watch tennis together. Good times, and great memories.
This is sublime. Such memories watching Wimbledon on NBC with my parents. Thanks for posting.
One of the great sports themes. It ranks right there with NBC's Major League Baseball Game of the Week theme and the NBA on CBS theme.
What great classics, Borg vs. McEnroe (Johnny Mac), Jimmy Connors and others in the 70's and early 80's...I watched it all as a kid...great times.
Brings back so many memories of Wimbledon . ESPN has no magic, it doesn’t capture the history or the essence of W like NBC did
I so agree. I miss the days when ESPN only covered the Australian Open. USA and CBS did a great job with the US Open back then too. TNT at one time split Wimbledon coverage with NBC and i thought they did a great job also.
Wimbledon, The US Open (Golf) , and NBA.... Please come back home to NBC
The US Open is back!!!
I had to come listen to this timeless classic theme song to help get me ready for Wimbledon.
Always love listening to this closing tune from NBC. It culminates two great weeks of tennis, and the highlights of the tournament are in slow motion.
This just made every hair on my back stand up. Watching Pete Sampras conquer year after year was truly remarkable
"The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson will be delayed fifteen minutes to bring you this Wimbledon update."
Awesome theme song! Brings back so many memories of watching the tournament on NBC, McEnroe - Borg, Bud Collins, etc.
This theme brings back so many memories for me, including ones with Dick Enberg (now deceased). Thank you for posting this!
It's 2024 and I'm still coming back here to get myself amped for Wimbledon this year.
I love all the comments posted. Brings back the memories and excitement!
Thanks for posting. It's the perfect tennis music. I can still hear Bud Collins describing the action on the late night Wimbledon updates as I hear the thwack of the tennis rackets.
This and ABC's Wild World of Sports themes still give me the chills...and great memories.
Bring it back nbc
espn has 5 more wimbledons till 2023 then hopefully nbc can get it back did you watch that kevin Anderson john isner 6hr 33 minute piece of insanity yesterday
How appropriate to showcase the greatest and most beloved rivalry that ever played in that center court
0:20-0:50 goose bumps each time I hear this song...remember Bjorn, John, Ivan, Martina, Chris Evert, Jimmy, Boris, just to name a few.
So do I, love this for a ringtone!
Exactly! Me too.
Please... more!
Adore Adore Adore this song .Whem growing up in 70's I played this song on tape recorder behind me on Tennis Court while wearing my exact copies of Jimmy Connors Clothes. (the horizontal red white and blus stripes) Made me feel like I was at SW19 myself......
NBC Sports' Wimbledon theme music from 1979--early 1990's is arguably, along with the Oakland Raiders' theme music, the two greatest pieces of music ever composed for pro sports!
Plesae bring back Wimbledon on NBC
and this theme!
Loved this music as a kid. Thanks for posting.
I have been searching for this for YEARS when the fortnite rolls around...thank you for posting this.
0:36 onward is also a commercial theme. NBC also played this theme with a slightly higher pitch in some years.
:34 is the part they would play going into break. So epic. I'll just play this theme while watching ESPN coverage
Great memory on the music going to brake. This is one of the great sports theme songs.
rob johnson they also played this at the very end of the championship telecast while showing a montage of photos from the fortnight, culminating with the champions holding their trophies in the air. What a great way to end Wimbledon. This music gives me chills to this day and transports me right back to the early - mid 80s.
Perfect call on going into break -- I remember it like it was yesterday. NBC Sports mastered theme music in the 80s and 90s -- Wimbledon, US Open, Ryder Cup, NFL just to name a few...
God it makes me feel old, but it does bring back some great memories hearing this piece. I was an 80s/90s kid, but I mostly think of Sampras and Agassi when I listen to it. It was an amazing time for American tennis, those guys and this tournament made me want to start to play the game. Thanks for sharing this.
LightningJanitorial I'm a little bit older, so for me it brings back memories of McEnroe, Connors, Borg and later, Becker (as well as Chris Evert and Martina Navratolova). But it's funny how certain music can take you back to specific moments.
Amen. As a kid, I didn't understand that about music. They were just songs. As I got older though, its the song and who and where I was when it came out. Kind of cool, yet kind of depressing at the same time lol. And I LOVED McEnroe and Chris Evert.
couldn't agree more
ESPN ruins everything by taking it away from NBC
SONG NAME: World Champion
ARTIST: Keith Mansfield
ALBUM: Kpm 1000 Series: Olympiad 2000
RELEASE DATE: 1977
:35-:46 commercial break NBC cue
I want to grab my old wooden racquet, tennis outfit and head to the nearest grass courts! 🎾🎾🎾🎾
Love it!! I grew up with this theme on NBC in the 1980s.
This theme song reminds me of the NBC sportscasters covering Wimbledon- The late Dick Enberg and Bud Collins. RIP to both Dick Enberg and Bud Collins.
Between this and Roundball Rock, NBC had two of the best sports theme songs ever!
We'd watch Wimbledon as kids then head down to the tennis courts and do our best imitations.
Thanks very much for posting this.
This is the Pete Sampras theme song if he we're in the WWE/WWF
THE FIRST WIMBLEDON MATCH I EVER SAW WAS ON SATURDAY JULY 8 1978. WHEN BORG BEAT CONNORS IN STRAIGHT SETS. 6 - 2 6 - 2 6 - 3 WITH BORG FALLING TO HIS KNEES AFTER WINNING. MY LOVE FOR TENNIS BEGAN WITH THIS MATCH WITH BORG WINNING HIS 3RD OF FIVE WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS IN A ROW. 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980. WHEN I THINK OF THE WIMBLEDON MUSIC THEME ITS THE BEST I’VE EVER HEARD IT IS EPIC. PLAYED AS A BACK DROP BEHIND THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY BEFORE THE TONIGHT SHOW.
Heck yes!! Me too!!
Greatest sports theme in sports history. So many memories. Graf, Agassi, Boris Becker, Ivanisevic, and the great PETE SAMPRAS. Truly the greatest theme in sports.
I'm about the same age as Borg and a few years older than McEnroe. These shots of them in their youth sure make me feel old.
Sucks this theme didnt transfer to ESPN
ESPN probably could have made it their own but they suck....
Dick Enberg and Bud Collins are ringing in my head. What a time to be alive.
Man, this reminds me of the 90s when I watched all the tennis grand slams on TV. Miss NBCs Wimbledon coverage in those days.
This was composed by the same gentleman who composed the now iconic BBC Wimbledon theme that begins each broadcast of the tournament in the UK.
All I can say is THANK YOU
This was popular when Borg was king. I used to get excited waiting for the big show down to begin with this music and montage playing in the background.
Bring back now for nick kyrgios, vasek pospisil, jack sock, dominic thiem, sam groth, thanasi kokinakkis, borna coric etc.
John and Bjorn 2 great champions. I can remember their epic 4th set tiebreaker in 84
there,s a rolex ad featuring Wimbledon champs no shot of john McEnroe in the ad
the tiebreaker was 1980 not 1984
This is sooooooo fire. Takes me back to the 90s and I love it dearly
Tears in my eyes reliving
00:37 to 00:47 used to be the commercial break
So sad how Wimbledon has changed for the worse! Some time ago the AELT&CC removed the beautiful wicker furniture in the Players' Tea Room and replaced it with stainless steel furniture! God you know how bad things have gotten when you realize how even the British have declined as a society!
NBC Sports was the best. Best announcers back then too, especially NFL.
Great to hear the full tune. Thanks.
I miss this song so much on Wimbledon Championship weekend. Now ESPN hijacked Wimbledon and this theme is not utilized anymore.
This song is called "World Champion" by Keith Mansfield
There are a lot of other people out there today seeking out Dick Enberg highlights and whatnot to remember him. For me, all I need to hear is this music.
"Strawberries and cream, oh my! The rain has subsided and we have a *lovely* day here in southwest London! The tennis will be outstanding, as will the treats outside the All-England Club! Sampras, Agassi, Federer, the Williams Sisters and more, all on tap next as we're halfway through the fortnight. It's Breakfast at Wimbledon! And we're glad you can join us from across the pond here on N ... B ... C!"
Now tell me you couldn't hear that in Enberg's voice over this music.
RIP.
When tennis and sports were good! Miss these days! Simpler times.
This music immediately makes me think of Pete Sampras
miss this music...the good old days of Becker, McEnroe, Borg and Pete. They should have played it after Roger's 8th Wimbledon title.
Love this song and Wimby!
Goosebumps 40 years later-----McEnroe '81
Me too..Great memories.
I've NEVER heard all of it! OMG! I'm getting bumps!
I also remember the great piece of music NBC-Sports would play toward the end of their 6-hour final Sunday broadcast of the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final and the Mixed Doubles Final while showing a series of still photos of the new men's singles champion. At the end of the 1981 Wimbledon final Sunday broadcast, Dick Enberg said, "Well John Kelley and John Russell have been following John McEnroe around with a still camera. Here's their report". And then NBC-Sports showed Kelley and Russell's photos of McEnroe in action during his matches that year at Wimbledon while a superb piece of electric guitar, synthesizer and tack piano music played! I wish someone would upload that great piece of music onto UA-cam. I don't know the title of that piece of music but you could call it, "The Champion's Theme". Sadly, the last time NBC Sports used that piece of music during the last Sunday of their Wimbledon broadcast was on the final Sunday of the 1982 Wimbledon Championships after Connors defeated McEnroe in five sets.
excellent theme an covered by NBC sports remember the wimbledon championship
Don't give it back to NBC unless they take the McEnroes. But ABSOLUTELY bring back this theme.
too bad NBC doesn't have the coverage, ESPN is a complete joke
+Randy Davenport really? towards the end NBC was all over the place tape delaying matches so they could broadcast the Today Show .... no thanks. ESPN at least keeps the coverage flowing
True, ESPN does show live tennis better than what NBC provided. NBC got really bad late in its coverage.
ESPN's coverage is VASTLY better than NBC's ever was. I remember when NBC aired a great five-set semifinal match between Connors and Borg on tape delay at 1:30 am.
zelmoziggy
Many sports were tape delayed back then. The NBA finals were tape delayed in 1970s and early 80s.
I grew up in the 80s and early 90s, and the big matches were all live. Loved waking up early here on the east coast and watching the NBC broadcast of the semis and finals.
You have your opinion, but Collins and Enberg, as well as the music, the broadcast itself was wayyyy better on NBC.
Does that make NBC's coverage better than ESPN's?
Truly a bizarre day at Windswept Fields.
Great memories..miss bud and dick..as great as roger, Rafa and Novak are, there was something special about borg McEnroe and connors’ era
God I miss this song
Can’t believe it’s been 10 years since NBC lost the rights to Wimbledon. Being a West Coaster off the United States, my only gripe was the tape delay of the Championships of Wimbledon. Other than that I thought NBC did an excellent job of covering Wimbledon.
A shorter version of this called "Wargames Linking Section" was used in the movie _Kill And Kill Again._
Tennis players have the most toned legs.
this song was originally used by NFL Films for Super Bowl highlight movies. it was always great to hear when NBC had broadcasting rights to Wimbledon. idk why ESPN just doesn't pay for the rights to the song and they can use it
Make a quick buck and wonder why ratings are in terminal decline.
There is another NBC breakfast at Wimbledon theme that I remember
It's back!!
At 2:28, CBS Sports used the ending of this song (minus the three notes before the last note) as their logo identification music many years ago.
I *knew* there was a reason why I associated this tune with CBS Sports for some reason.
BEST SPORTS THEME EVER
except maybe Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba Basketball by John Tesh :D
NBC has the French Open back, will they have Wimbledon too? I hope!
Nope.
Gary Young i believe French open never left NBC which they are contracted to show until 2024. unfortunately the good ole days are gone. i miss wimbledon on NBC, miss U.S. Open on CBS
Gary Young basically what happened is that NBC did a swap deal with ESPN giving ESPN the rights to Wimbledon in exchange for NBC getting the rights to the British Open
Funny thing is.. I believe the song is titled US open tennis by Keith Mansfield..but I've always associated it with Wimbledon
We NEED Wimbledon back on NBC
Long live King Sampras. There is nothing like Wimbledon.
Memories
A great masterpiece by Keith Mansfield
I love hearing this music before Wimbledon starts. Thrilled that NBC is nowhere near the tournament anymore.
This is my fucking JAM.
Originally its form the "African Turbo" - 1982 Paris Dakar rally.
This is end credits theme, not the main.
do you have the Opening theme song?
I loved this intro....why they changed it i don't know....it was the best.