ESPN.com - Wimbledon 2001 - Club won't bend its ways
 
  S C H E D U L E
  R E S U L T S
  S E E D S
  H I S T O R Y
  B R A C K E T
  E S P N  T E N N I S









 Thursday, July 17
Club won't bend its ways
Associated Press

WIMBLEDON, England -- Frustrated fans and players might prefer a retractable roof over the grass at Centre Court, but that seems as unlikely as the tradition-steeped tournament being played on artificial turf.

Light rain Saturday permitted only 52 minutes of play on Centre Court, leaving the outcome of the men's semifinal between Goran Ivanisevic and Tim Henman up in the air in the fifth set. That semifinal was completed Sunday followed by the women's final between Venus Williams and Justine Henin. Ivanisevic won 7-5, 6-7 (6), 0-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 to earn a spot in the final against Patrick Rafter.

That might create havoc Monday for the men's final, which has been pushed back a day.

No tickets have been sold and the security and catering staff must be retained. At least one TV network, NBC, has a clause in its contract to broadcast on Monday, club Chief Executive Chris Gorringe said.

Monday will be the 15th time since 1919 that Wimbledon has been extended because of rain, almost always for doubles. The last time it was extended to finish singles was 1988. It also marks the first time since at least 1922 that the men's singles final will begin on a Monday.

"We've got experience on the third Monday and it is difficult because you don't know how many people are going to come," said Tim Phillips, tournament and All England Club chairman.

"You have a big queue outside and you don't know how many to let in."

So why not put a dome on Centre Court, which would have allowed the Henman-Ivanisevic match and the women's final to be played Saturday and the men's final on Sunday as scheduled?

Wimbledon officials have been asked the question for a decade, ever since rain in 1991 forced play for the first time on the "middle Sunday."

The club says:

  • A retractable dome could affect grass growth.

  • The tournament is an outdoor event and subject to weather conditions.

  • It would be unfair to have only one court covered.

  • A dome could affect the look of Centre Court and the exclusive All England Club.

  • There is a safety issue, and local government officials may oppose a dome.

    "Physically, you can build a roof, this is not the issue," Phillips said Saturday. "They put one over football stadiums, so clearly you can put one over a tennis court."

    Phillips said the club was concerned about the "micro-climate" a dome would create, perhaps producing dew on the grass. "We've got top athletes who are trying to twist and turn on the grass."

    "Until such a time as we get total satisfaction that the micro-climate ... is going to be suitable for championship play, we wouldn't consider it."

    Phillips admitted it would avoid "situations like we have now."

    Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories


    		•