Wimbledon Unveiling New Retractable Roof, Prize Money Increase

The sun will no longer set on a stoppage of play at Wimbledon this year, when tournament officials unveil the new retractable roof which will be ready for the June 22 event.

The 5,200-square-meter means play can continue after dark, and matches can be moved inside due to rain. Last year darkness almost halted the completion of the men's final, where Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer.

All England Club Chairman Tim Phillips said matches that proceed into darkness will finish, but night matches will not be scheduled like other Grand Slams.

"We still intend that it will be a day tournament," Phillips told the media.

A close eye will be kept on the ventilation with the roof closed, as improper ventilation and condensation will make for a slippery grasscourt. The roof will take 8-10 minutes to close, and another 30 minutes for the airflow system to reduce moisture.

The Wimbledon stadium court has been three years in the making, and Court No. 2 has also been updated to seat 4,000, bringing the overall grounds capacity to 40,000.

The court and roof will be tested out on May 17 with a doubles exhibition featuring former Wimbledon champions Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters.

Wimbledon officials also announced prize money increases, with the two singles champions receiving 13.3% more than last year. The strengthening of the Euro and the U.S. dollar against British sterling has prompted the All England Club to further reward players.

�We recognize the fact that many of the players who compete deal in U.S. dollars or Euros," Phillips said. "Last year at the time of the Championship the rate was almost two dollars to one pound. Now it is closer to 1.5 and that has come very much into our thinking. Hardly any of the players bank in sterling."

Total prize money for the event increases by 6.2%, weighted in favor of players in the latter rounds.

"It's the name players who drive interest in Wimbledon and indeed tennis," Phillips said. "We are a very international tournament in a very international sport."