You know that austerity has really hit the heart of Britain when you spot signs outside the driveways of the large mansions on the tree-lined roads leading to Wimbledon that say, 'Parking' and below that in big, bold numbers - GBP20. Even the posh crowd is trying to make a quick buck, it seems. And there were plenty of takers as the fans flocked to see the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova on the day I chose to make my first pilgrimage to this temple of tennis. Even though Wimbledon - the grand slam - is done and dusted, it looked as if the crowds were not sated.
And organisers were rubbing their hands in glee. A day-ticket for Centre Court was GBP65, while for Court One and the others it was GBP40. It didn't prevent Sandy and Becky, two teenagers from Essex, from splurging on the cheaper tickets. And they were excited as on the cards was seven-time Wimbledon champion Federer up against Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin, followed later in the day by hometown hero Murray, who was taking on Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.
I was as excited as them, for at long last a dream had been fulfilled. Over the past few days, I have visited many of London's iconic sporting venues, Lord's for instance. But it is not the same going to the home of cricket to watch some archers trying to hit the bullseye as it would have been to watch South African spearhead Dale Steyn trying to rip the throats of the English batsmen.
But here was the real deal. The chance to see 17-time grand slam champion Federer in action was not to be missed, even if he was up against a little-known player in the third round. After a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title, the Swiss ace is desperate to complete a golden slam by winning a singles gold medal for the first time.
This was tennis at its best at the sport's most revered place on earth, and the world's best are here - apart from the injured Rafael Nadal. Unlike some sports which don't know whether to embrace the Olympics - soccer is a good example, with world governing body Fifa restricting it to under-23s with a quota of three over-aged players - tennis has taken it to heart.
Wimbledon officials might sniff at the sight of coloured clothing on their patch - Federer was wearing the bright red of his country - but as far as the players are concerned, they desperately want that Olympic gold. And at the end of the day, that is what counts - the players.
A grey and overcast sky which soon translates into fat raindrops delays the start of play on Court One and Federer is kept waiting in the players' lounge, much to the chagrin of Sandy and Becky. Their tickets don't allow them to come into Centre Court, where I head to watch Serena in the process of dismantling Beijing bronze medallist Vera Zvonereva in a hurry.