The 1972 Wimbledon Championships was a tennis tournament that took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 26 June until 9 July. It was the 86th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the second Grand Slam tennis event of 1972. Reigning champion John Newcombe was prevented from defending his title and was absent along with other World Championship Tennis (WCT) contract players, including Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and Arthur Ashe, who were banned by the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) from entering the event.