WIMBLEDON, England -- The first match under the new retractable roof of Wimbledon's Centre Court will be played in May, almost two months before the Grand Slam tournament.
Wimbledon will hold an event May 17 "to test the new roof and air conditioning system," the All England Club said Tuesday in a statement.
The sliding roof will help alleviate Wimbledon's perennial rain delays. Tickets will be sold to the event, but details have yet to be announced.
"We plan to recreate normal playing conditions," Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said.
The Daily Mail newspaper reported that four-time Wimbledon semifinalist Tim Henman, who retired in 2007, may take part in the opening event.
The traditional roof overhang on Centre Court was removed after the 2006 tournament, leaving the grass surface more open to the elements in 2007. The overhang was back in 2008, along with 1,200 extra seats.
The Wimbledon tournament will be held June 22-July 5.
