Wimbledon: Roof may not be the answer

Wimbledon officials revealed they would not consider installing a roof on Centre Court until they are certain it would not affect the playing surface.

The contentious issue was raised once again after Tim Henman's nail-biting semi-final with Goran Ivanisevic was delayed for the second time by rain.

The match is finely poised at two sets all, the Croatian leading 3-2 in the decider.

The match will now be completed today before the women's singles final between Venus Williams and Justine Henin, with the men's final starting on Monday for the first time in Wimbledon history.

All England Club chairman Tim Phillips said tests were taking place on whether it would be feasible to install a roof on Centre Court, and possibly Court One.

"Physically you can build a roof. The issue is not whether structurally you can put one up," Phillips said.

"The real issue is, if you put one up what does that micro-climate create in the way of dew on the playing surface? We've got top athletes who are trying to twist and turn on the grass.

"We are also concerned about the way the grass grows. We are doing tests on this, we've commissioned quite a lot of testing in the States.

"Until such time as we get total satisfaction that the micro-climate enclosed, that is being created, is going to be suitable for championship play, we wouldn't consider it."

A roof has already been installed on two showcourts for the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, while in the same city, the Lions were beaten under a closed roof in the 50,000 capacity Colonial Stadium.

Another issue would be what the implications would be for the other courts at Wimbledon if only one or two have a roof.

"I think there are a range of considerations, one of which is the 'one-court' tournament issue," Phillips added. "This is an outdoor event.

"Equally we are conscious that we have a lot of customer groupings here who are inconvenienced.

"We owe it to them to work our way totally through the package and see in our best judgement is it something that we should consider."