17 Dec 2008

Wimbledon to host test event

6:00 am on 17 December 2008

Wimbledon will host a ticketed tennis event next year in order to test the new retractable roof on Centre Court.

The All England Club announced the event will be held in May, five weeks before Wimbledon starts, but gave no other details.

The Daily Mail newspaper has reported that Tim Henman has been approached to take part in an exhibition match.

The club began work on the multi-million pound roof in 2006 as it sought to reduce rain interruptions.

The roof is translucent in order to allow natural light to reach the grass and takes 10 minutes to shut.

As part of the redevelopment, the capacity of Centre Court was expanded from 13,800 to 15,000.