Wimbledon Centre Court to get roof
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A model shows the proposed retractable roof at All England Club
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LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Wimbledon's famous Centre Court will be covered by a retractable roof in time for the 2009 championships under plans unveiled by the All England Club on Tuesday.
After years of rejecting the idea, organizers of the grasscourt grand slam finally agreed it was necessary to satisfy the demands of television.
The roof is part of a redevelopment plan which will also increase the show court's capacity to 15,000 from 13,800.
"It (Centre Court) is the jewel in our crown and what we are trying to do is to make it more precious than it already is," said club chairman Tim Phillips at a news conference.
Rain has completely washed out play on five days since 1991. During the 2003 championships, players were repeatedly forced to retreat to the locker rooms after showers halted play during the second week.
With fans frustrated at the delays and broadcasters left to delve into their archives to fill in precious television airtime, organisers of the 126-year-old tournament decided to follow the lead of the Australian Open.
The Melbourne Park event, which gets underway on January 19, is the only grand slam which already uses a retractable roof.
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