Tennis: Wimbledon going undercover

PLANS to build a roof over Wimbledon’s Centre Court, bringing an end to “the frustrations” of ending play when it rains, were announced by the All England Club yesterday.

Work on the roof is expected to be started on Wimbledon’s most famous court by the summer of 2006. The sliding roof on the Centre Court is expected to be completed by 2009.

Unveiling the plan for Centre Court, All England Club chairman Tim Phillips said: “This is an outdoor event and in this day and age when it rains it’s very frustrating for everybody, not least the players and the audiences. We have been looking at the solution which will resolve the problem.

“Our continuing aim is for Wimbledon to be acknowledged as the world’s premier tennis event.

“The Centre Court has been the jewel in our crown for over 80 years and the scene of the most memorable drama and emotion in tennis. We are confident that our innovative plans will retain its atmosphere, history and tradition.”

The chairman refused to confirm the cost of the scheme saying: “We don’t talk about cost, this is a private club and we have confidential agreements with our partners."

But he revealed that no lottery or public money will go to fund the installation.

It is believed that the cost of the scheme will be about £20 million.

The move follows in the footsteps of the Australian Open tournament in Melbourne, which has retractable roofs on both of its show courts. It will also bring an end to the infamous rain disruptions at Wimbledon.

One memorable year had Cliff Richard entertaining the crowds from the Royal Box.

The project, which has been designed by the same team which built the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, will provide 1,200 extra seats. Six extra rows of seating will be added to the upper tier on three sides.

It will incorporate a collapsible roof which is translucent to allow natural light to reach the grass.

It has been designed to close and open in under 10 minutes.

Play will be suspended while the roof closes and opens.

It is 17 metres high (55ft) which is nine metres (29ft) above current recommended LTA standards.

British number one Tim Henman gave his backing to the plans.

Henman, who lost a rain-interrupted semi-final to Goran Ivanisevic in 2001, said: “If they’ve got the technology then I wouldn’t be against it.

“I used to be against the roof but I’ve seen it at other tournaments and I think for the spectators and the TV it’s important to keep the show rolling.”

Mr Phillips said other players also backed the plans.

“The players are professional and very sensible, they recognise that you have to look after paying customers. You have to meet their expectations.

“There are 1.8 billion TV audiences around the world and they are the priority.”