THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WIMBLEDON, England -- The first match under the new retractable roof of Wimbledon's Centre Court will be played in May, almost two months before the 2009 tournament.
Wimbledon will hold a test event on May 17 "in order to test the new roof and air conditioning system," the All England Club said Tuesday in a statement.
Tickets will be sold to the event, details of which have yet to be announced.
"We plan to recreate normal playing conditions," Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said.
The Daily Mail newspaper reported that four-time Wimbledon semifinalist Tim Henman, who retired in 2007, is being lined up to take part in the opening event.
The traditional roof overhang on Centre Court was removed after the 2006 tournament, leaving the grass surface more open to the elements in 2007. But the overhang was back in 2008, along with 1,200 extra seats.
Installation of the sliding roof -- which will help alleviate Wimbledon's perennial rain delays -- is due to be completed in early 2009.
The 2009 tournament will run from June 22-July 5.
No comments:
Post a Comment