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Linda Jacobs and Aleta Cole, two tennis lovers from Houston, Texas made an epic 5,000-mile journey to join the world-renowned Wimbledon queue, setting up their camp at 10am on Friday. Despite being the first to arrive three days before the championships began, they did something rather extraordinary.

Amidst the scorching heat, they began pitching their tent in Wimbledon Park. However, when queue veterans Vicki and Nigel Broad from Neath, South Wales, arrived a few hours later, Linda and Aleta struck up a conversation with them.

Realising they were in the presence of seasoned queuers, the American pair graciously allowed the British duo to set up their tent first. Linda, who plays with Aleta on a team called Hotshots back in Houston, told the Express: "We just don't want to be first so we let them go ahead."

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She admitted that shying away from media attention (due to being first in line) on Monday was part of their strategy, but they also felt it fitting for Brits to lead the queue for their home tournament. Linda added: "It's a British tournament right, so we just felt it was the right thing to do for them to go first.

"They have also been here many times before so it was good having them here to tell us what to do - they are the experts and have been extremely helpful."

The friends, who plan to stay for three days at the tournament, are eager to watch fellow American Coco Gauff and have praised the queue organisation. "Everything is so beautifully organised and we have been very well looked after," they said. "We have felt completely safe ever since we arrived."

The duo from sunny Texas won't be bothered by the expected 35C Wimbledon heat. "This is great for us," Aleta commented. It's actually quite cool for us! We will be fine."

For retired nurses Nigel, 59, and Vicki, 57, this isn't a new experience. They're marking their 20th year in the Wimbledon queue, with their first camping trip to the park dating back to 1980. As parents of two and grandparents of four, they've previously made this a family outing, but this time they're here alone.

"We have slept out for two weeks before to see as many days as we can as we just love it," Nigel said. "It is the greatest tournament in the world. We would have stayed longer this time but we need to back for our grandson's birthday."

They're planning to watch defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, but also intend to cheer on Mimi Xu, the Welsh wildcard facing Emma Raducanu in her opening match. "She's from Swansea, so we have to show our support," Vicki said.

Nigel added: "We don't mind who we see though to be honest - Carlos Alcaraz, Katie Boulter - we are just here to watch great tennis."

Sisters Suzanne Pyefinch, 59, and Michele Jennings, 57, from Gorleston, Norfolk, have made queuing an annual tradition, having camped out for Wimbledon tickets every year for the last 39 years. Alongside them, fans of Alcaraz from Spain and the USA set up camp in matching red-and-yellow bucket hats in eager anticipation to support the two-time Wimbledon winner.

Maria Iniesta, 47, a physician originally from Madrid and now residing in Houston, queued with her family, comprising her husband, sister and three children, aged 13, 16 and 18. Iniesta joked about the British heat, saying: "For us the weather is fine because we're from Spain but we live in Houston. It's been funny to watch the British people sweating - it's been easy for us."

The atmosphere of the Wimbledon queue shares more in common with a festival than a sporting event lineup, where fervent fans pitch tents and set up chairs amidst the greenery, hoping to get their hands on coveted last-minute passes.

One die-hard fan even went to comical lengths to join the queue, concocting a fake dental emergency to tell his boss. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said, "I had to take drastic action - anything for a chance to see Alcaraz."

With his tale told, he crossed his fingers, hoping not to be spotted by cameras: "Boss is none the wiser but I just need to make sure I don't get caught on the fan-cam."