What’s New for Wimbledon 2008?
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Apr 29, 2008 | Print |
The All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club plans to implement several changes at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships.
Increased prize money, boosted security measures, and revisions to the queue lines are among the innovations announced on Tuesday.
Increased Prize Money
The Men’s and Ladies’ Singles Champions at Wimbledon will each receive £750,000, an increase of 7.1% over 2007 (£700,000).
The total prize money will increase by 4.7% to £11,812,000 from £11,282,710 in 2007, and the prize money for each of the Men’s and the Ladies’ Doubles events will exceed £1 million for the first time.
Hawk-Eye and Scoreboards
Wimbledon will introduce new digital scoreboards for both scores and Hawk-Eye on Centre Court and No.1 Court. The 3+1 Hawk-Eye Challenge system will again be used.
Scheduling
Wimbledon has stated that they are not considering plans to begin the tournament on the preceding Sunday and will only consider Middle Sunday play as an emergency option.
Boosted Security
To ensure the safety of all Wimbledon’s players and visitors, the AELTC’s security procedures will be at an appropriately high level. All persons and baggage for on-day queues will be scanned and searched.
Only one bag per person will be allowed and must be no larger than 18×12x12ins (45×30x30cm). No hard-sided hampers, ice chests, or briefcases will be allowed into the grounds.
Queue Changes
The AELTC has decided to move to a single queue operation, instead of the traditional two lines. The queue will be established in Wimbledon Park (including overnight queuers) and progress through the Wimbledon Park Golf Club, through the Search operation, over the bridge, and into Gate 3.
Purchase Tickets Online
Approximately 500 Centre Court tickets will be available on the eve of the day of play as ‘print your own’ e-tickets. For more information, please sign up for Wimbledon’s e-newsletter at www.wimbledon.org.
If you enjoyed this tennis article, please sign up for a free subscription!
Nick | Apr 29, 2008 | Reply
Why can I get this kind of increase at my work?!!
Time to play on Sundays if they know rain is A-COMING!