Wimby to hold Exo to Test New Roof - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**echocassidyde** · 12-16-2008, 08:52 PM

Wimbledon to hold exhibition to test new roof
12/16/08 7:23 PM | David Cox
The 2009 Wimbledon championships will feature an exciting new development. Following the lead of the Australian Open, for the first time centre court will have a roof.

It's been planned for the last 5 years and to check everything is in smooth working order, the All England Club have planned a special indoor grass exhibition in May. The current unconfirmed date has been set as Sunday 17th, 5 weeks before the Championships start.

It's an unheard of event for the hallowed turf of Centre Court to be used as a playing venue outside of the Wimbledon fortnight. It's usually out-of-bounds even for Davis Cup ties.

To fill the 15,000 capacity stadium, the All England Club are looking for star names. Pete Sampras has already declined an invitation but Tim Henman could make a sentimental return to the court where he narrowly missed out in 4 semi-finals. Former champions Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg and John McEnroe have also been approached.

The club wants to use the exhibition to test the air conditioning system and the BBC will be able to run tests on acoustics.

As the event is scheduled for the week before the French Open it's very unlikely any main tour players will want to jeopardise their preparations by suddenly switching to grass so it will be just retired greats of the game on show.

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20..._test_new_roof

**echocassidyde** · 12-16-2008, 08:55 PM

why don't they have Steffi and Arantxa replay the single greatest game in women's tennis history, since it happened on Centre Court in 1995.

I'm a bit surprised they are only talking to the men it seems.

**JeorgeNoxeref** · 12-16-2008, 09:01 PM

Speaking of Steffi, here's one I would love to see:

Steffi/Andre Agassi vs Arantxa/Emilio Sanchez Vicario.

**echocassidyde** · 12-16-2008, 09:08 PM

It's hard to believe there's finally going to be a roof over Centre Court. Now, it'll be interesting to see if discussion starts again with the USTA.

**fuesquemill** · 12-16-2008, 09:16 PM

The club wants to use the exhibition to test the air conditioning system and the BBC will be able to run tests on acoustics.

Um, they realize Wimbledon is still in the UK, right?

**Breevereurl** · 12-16-2008, 09:53 PM

Wimbledon with a roof will be very odd to me. It's not really Wimbledon until we have 4 rain delays in 3 hours.

**MaickiP** · 12-17-2008, 01:09 AM

I'm a bit surprised they are only talking to the men it seems.

Seems like normal behavior to me.

12-16-2008, 08:52 PM	#1
echocassidyde Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 407 Senior Member	Wimby to hold Exo to Test New Roof Wimbledon to hold exhibition to test new roof 12/16/08 7:23 PM \| David Cox The 2009 Wimbledon championships will feature an exciting new development. Following the lead of the Australian Open, for the first time centre court will have a roof. It's been planned for the last 5 years and to check everything is in smooth working order, the All England Club have planned a special indoor grass exhibition in May. The current unconfirmed date has been set as Sunday 17th, 5 weeks before the Championships start. It's an unheard of event for the hallowed turf of Centre Court to be used as a playing venue outside of the Wimbledon fortnight. It's usually out-of-bounds even for Davis Cup ties. To fill the 15,000 capacity stadium, the All England Club are looking for star names. Pete Sampras has already declined an invitation but Tim Henman could make a sentimental return to the court where he narrowly missed out in 4 semi-finals. Former champions Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg and John McEnroe have also been approached. The club wants to use the exhibition to test the air conditioning system and the BBC will be able to run tests on acoustics. As the event is scheduled for the week before the French Open it's very unlikely any main tour players will want to jeopardise their preparations by suddenly switching to grass so it will be just retired greats of the game on show. http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20..._test_new_roof Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-16-2008, 08:55 PM	#2
echocassidyde Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 407 Senior Member	why don't they have Steffi and Arantxa replay the single greatest game in women's tennis history, since it happened on Centre Court in 1995. I'm a bit surprised they are only talking to the men it seems. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-16-2008, 09:01 PM	#3
JeorgeNoxeref Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 369 Senior Member	Speaking of Steffi, here's one I would love to see: Steffi/Andre Agassi vs Arantxa/Emilio Sanchez Vicario. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-16-2008, 09:08 PM	#4
echocassidyde Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 407 Senior Member	It's hard to believe there's finally going to be a roof over Centre Court. Now, it'll be interesting to see if discussion starts again with the USTA. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-16-2008, 09:16 PM	#5
fuesquemill Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 716 Senior Member	The club wants to use the exhibition to test the air conditioning system and the BBC will be able to run tests on acoustics. Um, they realize Wimbledon is still in the UK, right? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-16-2008, 09:53 PM	#6
Breevereurl Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 427 Senior Member	Wimbledon with a roof will be very odd to me. It's not really Wimbledon until we have 4 rain delays in 3 hours. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-17-2008, 01:09 AM	#7
MaickiP Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 641 Senior Member	I'm a bit surprised they are only talking to the men it seems. Seems like normal behavior to me. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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