Rain Roof for Wimbledon

Steeped in tradition, the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon in southwest London is home to what is arguably the world's most prestigious tennis tournament.

History and status may go hand in hand but this year marks the introduction of an innovation that is both game-changing and just a bit controversial.

A retractable roof above Center Court.

The principal Architect Rod Sheard says the 1,000 tonne collapsible structure is his solution to a unique set of challenges thrown up by the historic tennis club - first and foremost that there is no room store a roof.

[Rod Sheard, Principal Architect, Retractable Roof ]:
"The roof works exactly the same way as your umbrella works. It's got a series of ribs that span 75 meters from one side to the other, and between those ribs is fabric. And it just so happened we found a fabric that
wasn't around a few years ago that can fold."

Tennis fans - it turns out - can be roughly lumped into two groups when it comes to their openness to change.

There are the pragmatists.

[Unidentified Tennis Fan]:
"Well, I think they needed to do that."

[David Jones, Tennis Fan]:
"It's excellent. It means there will always be some tennis everyday."

And the romantics.

[Greg Ratcliffe, Tennis Fan]:
"I think the character of Wimbledon includes rain. That's part of its charm - the unpredictability. Cliff Richard singing on a Sunday..."

The chief executive of the All England Club Ian Ritchie says though he's not exactly resting easily.

[Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive, All England Club]:
"You always feel an element of nerves and apprehension."

He is certain that Center Court rain delays are not a tradition worth keeping.

[Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive, All England Club]:
"I just can't see a loser. Everyone at home watching on television watches guaranteed play. It's the same for the spectators here. The players, when we had Andre Agassi and Stefi Graf playing here a month ago, they thought they were great playing conditions so I really don't see any negatives to it at all.

Still, the beginning of this tournament also marks the end of an era.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Steeped
• tradition
• All
• England
• Lawn
• Tennis
• Club
• Wimbledon
• tournament

[ROCKSOLID19]

The All England Club must build a roof on the No 1 and 2 courts also to ensure that there are at least 3 matches or so uninterrupted as people pay good money to see these matches. I been to Wimbledon several years ago and it was rained off for several days. It used to be laughed off when the drizzle gone away but the TV cameras did not show the thousands of enraged ticket payers who were apocalyptically disappointed. Shame on you All England Club!! Very unenglish. Very and VERY!