Two former WTA Tour world number one stars will be among the first to play under the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s new roof at Wimbledon.
The AELTC announced today that a star line-up of Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf, Kim Clijsters and Tim Henman will become the first to play tennis under the new Centre Court roof as part of its “A Centre Court Celebration” event on Sunday, May 17, 2009.
“With players of the calibre of Agassi, Graf, Clijsters and Henman this test event promises to be hugely entertaining,” Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the All England Club said in the announcement.
“Brilliant players, great tennis, an iconic venue and the chance to be part of Wimbledon history – what more could one want?”
The program will feature a men’s singles, a ladies’ singles and a mixed doubles match all played to the pro set format – the first to 8 games, with a tie-break at 8-8.
“There is no tennis venue more special to me than Centre Court at Wimbledon,” said Graf. “It just doesn’t get any better. I couldn’t be more honoured to play there again with my husband Andre, and tennis greats Kim and Tim. It will mean so much to return to Wimbledon and see so many familiar places, relive so many wonderful memories.”
During her legendary career, Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles (seven at Wimbledon, six at the French Open, five at the US Open and four at the Australian Open).
“To be asked to be part of this unique event with Andre and Steffi and Tim is very exciting and a real privilege,” said Clijsters.
Clijsters, the 2005 US Open champion, only played Graf once during her career, ironically at Wimbledon in 1999. The fourth round match was delayed for two days because of rain.
The event is designed to test the new roof and air management system with live tennis in front of a capacity crowd of 15,000.
