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4/22/09 5:23 PM | Johan Lindahl
Wimbledon officials insist there are no plans for night play at the Championships - but they also refuse to rule out the use of lights as well.
This summer's edition marks the introduction of the new movable roof, which will allow at least one match to continue when the inevitable rain arrives. The 1,000-ton monster covering 5,200 square meters will open and close in less than 10 minutes. The system is due for a trial run on May 17 when Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters play in front of a sell-out crowd.
"Wimbledon will continue to be an outdoor daytime tennis event," said club boss Tim Phillips. But chief executive Ian Ritchie put another spin on that statement, hinting that late nights could become a part of the fabric if necessary.
"We don't want to see night time tennis and we hope and believe that that the matches would finish in daytime hours. But if they don't, we'll close the roof and finish them.
"There is an obligation for the people here in person and the millions watching on television. But we need to provide consistent conditions for the players. If a match starts with it shut it will finish with it shut."
After any roof closure, it will take another half an hour for humidity and internal conditions to stabilize.
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