Agassi/Graf double act to open new centre court

LONDON: Husband-and-wife team Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf will be the star attractions when the new roof on Wimbledon's centre court is officially opened on May 17, the All England Club announced on Tuesday.

Former women's singles champion Kim Clijsters and recently-retired British favourite Tim Henman will also play in the Centre Court Celebration, designed to test the new roof and air management system in front of a 15,000 crowd ahead of this year's championships.

The programme will feature men's and 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.

Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the All England Club, said the introduction of the new retractable roof and the consequent end to frustrating rain delays represented a milestone in the tournament's history.

‘Though this project has been a sophisticated engineering feat, we always wanted to capture the essence of Wimbledon's history and tradition in a new, modern Centre Court which itself would still be celebrated as the stage of some of the most memorable moments in tennis.’

Agassi said he was honoured to have been invited.

‘I have great memories of playing at Wimbledon and to be amongst the first to play under the new Centre Court roof is really exciting,’ said the American.

Graf, who won seven singles crowns on the lawns of SW19, added: ‘There is no tennis venue more special to me than Centre Court at Wimbledon. I couldn't be more honoured to play there with my husband Andre and Kim and Tim. It will mean so much to return to Wimbledon and see so many familiar places, relive so many wonderful memories.’