Backstage at Wimbledon

The weather's been kind to us this year and it's another scorching hot day as we near the conclusion of what has been one of the outstanding Championships in recent memory.

We've already broadcast some memorable moments, the stand out being the new world record for a tennis match with Isner and Mahut's 11 hour five minute marathon in the first round. This breath-taking display of skill and human endurance also saw another record set with our very own Ron McIntosh setting a record for the longest sporting commentary, his first ever live tennis match. We also had a visit from the Queen, the first time for 33 years. The last time she was here our very own Virginia Wade won the women's singles title; what odds for Andy Murray to repeat the feat?



The sheer breadth of the coverage we offer has increased significantly in recent years, which in turn means the demand on our team's resources has also increased. Not only do we broadcast around 250 hours on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC HD during the fortnight, but we also air over 500 hours on BBC Red Button where viewers are able to choose from up to five live matches. This service is simulcast on the BBC Sport website, with a selection of matches and highlights also available on BBC iPlayer. Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra are also on site to offer unrivaled radio coverage to listeners during the fortnight.



In order to deliver all of this, to the level of quality that our audiences expect, on time and on budget is quite an undertaking. As host as well as domestic broadcaster for the Championships, we are responsible for providing the pictures to over 150 countries around the world, this means our operation has to be even more extensive than for a usual broadcast. The set up: laying the cables; installing IT infrastructure; activating and testing all of the camera positions around the nine televised courts (18 alone on Centre Court); wiring in the studio and all of the interview points around the site; designing and testing the graphics; and putting the commentary team together; begins weeks before the first ball is hit.



Each member of the team on site is a significant cog in the overall machinery, without which the broadcast just wouldn't work; from our editors and producers through to our sound technicians and camera teams, everyone has to work without let up for the whole fortnight to ensure our biggest annual sporting event is a complete success.



As the championships progress British hopes continue to rest with Andy Murray. Will this be the year that our wait for a male Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon ends? Whatever happens we'll be here every step of the way.



Paul Davies is Sports Editor at the BBC