18 May 2009

Graf, Agassi inaugurate roof at Wimbledon

6:03 am on 18 May 2009

Wimbledon's historic centre court completed a modern makeover as tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf staged exhibition matches under a brand new retractable roof.

The new roof is part of a wider revamping of centre court at the All England Club, which now has an increased maximum capacity of 15,000, and more comfortable seating.

It is the roof, however, that will cheer Wimbledon players and fans across the globe who have long had to endure London's famously wet summers playing havoc with the tournament's scheduling.

It has been designed to open and close in under 10 minutes, is translucent to allow natural light to continue to shine on the lawn, and has been fitted with floodlights.

Former Wimbledon champions Agassi and Graf lost a mixed doubles match against retired former British No.1 Tim Henman and Belgium's Kim Clijsters.