by Beth Rifkin
Professional tennis is forging into the future and Wimbledon, the 132 year-old legendary institution, is racing to keep up; old-school conservative has made way for bulging biceps, 150 mph serves and lightning fast foot-speeds. All-white clothing may still be required, but those infamous rain delays that interrupt play each year during the Championships are not.
Strong, flexible, translucent and most importantly – waterproof – Wimbledon’s new retractable roof will make its official debut on Centre Court at the 2009 Grand Slam on June 22. 5,200 square meters of material will protect the most precious of all grass courts from London’s notorious wet weather, all the while allowing natural light to reach the field. The “folding fabric concertina” is designed to open and close in under 10 minutes and folds neatly into a highly compressed area when not in use. Keeping the integrity of the 1920’s stadium intact and giving the pros 52 feet of clearance for high balls, the new roof will prevent matches from being delayed or stacked on back-to-back days. And a crafty airflow system designed to remove condensation from within the stadium when the roof is closed will ensure comfort for both players and spectators alike.
Because no one likes soggy strawberries and cream.
*Test drive featuring Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters and Tim Henman takes place May 17. For more information go to Wimbledon.com.
