AFP
London, July 7

Wimbledon tennis bosses have pledged to solve the dilemma of building a retracting roof over Centre Court after rain delays once again hampered play at this year's grass court tournament.

The first week of the Championships was played under sunny skies but then the rain arrived causing scheduling headaches with many high-profile matches disrupted.

All England Club officials said that they were ready to put a cover over the Centre Court once problems with condensation and ventilation have been solved.

Costly experiments have been underway in the USA to assess the effect a roof would have on grass.

Wimbledon chairman Tim Phillips is expected to further discuss the possibility of renovation at the tennis complex in Sunday's committee meeting.

"In the last decade, we've built a new Number One Court, a new media centre and created the hill with the big screen," he told the BBC Radio Five Live's SportsWeek show.

"So if it was straightforward to build a roof, we'd already have done it.

"But there are problems with a roof. It doesn't matter to rugby or football matches if they get condensation or sweating - but it matters a lot on a grass tennis court.

"We've done expensive tests in the States, feeding in British summer forecast information. They work out whether condensation would occur - and it would on a considerable number of occasions.

"So what ventilation system would we need in an 80-year-old building? And how would it affect the flight of the ball?

"We are actively trying to overcome serious obstacles. Until we get a really good solution, we're not going to do it."

Phillips also emphasised the need to strike a happy balance between the wishes of fans who queue for hours to gain access to the All England Club and the players who entertain them.

"We'd need to get planning approval and create a tennis court which provides top-quality play," he said.

"We have an obligation to fans and TV audiences in 170 different countries. But we also have an obligation to players in terms of safety on court.

"We'll do it if we can solve these problems - which we haven't managed to yet."