從今年起温布頓的中央球場的比賽不會因雨暫停了γ(▽´ )ﾂヾ( ｀▽)ゞ

Rain doesn’t stop play on Centre Court’s big day

First, strangely, the good news: it rained. When could such an event at Wimbledon ever be said to be good news? Answer: on the day the new Centre Court roof was unveiled in front of a capacity crowd and a worldwide television audience.

Of course the splendid programme of exhibition matches featuring Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters would have been played with the new roof closed no matter what the weather, because actually the event was a required test under health and safety legislation ahead of the Championships next month.

But if you’re going to be showing off a shiny new roof, it does make the day all the more satisfying if the British weather doesn’t come up with one of its amusing little jokes by producing an afternoon of blazing heat.

Fortunately it seemed that on this of all days, the weather gods grasped what the script required of them. For one thing, the rain held off until the scheduled moment the roof began to close at exactly 2.39pm – and then, satisfyingly, as play got under way in the mixed doubles match at 3.25pm, a lengthy spell of that particularly frustrating brand of on-off rain which has blighted many a Wimbledon day began outside Centre Court.

The only disappointment, on the inside, was that you couldn’t particularly tell. The rain was too light to hear on the translucent fabric of the roof, although it would certainly have been heavy enough to scupper all thoughts of grasscourt tennis without the new structure in position.

If the weather obliged, then the tennis did, too. It could scarcely fail, with such a line-up. No British audience had ever seen Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff play mixed doubles together – and, as Tim Henman pointed out with a smile after he and Kim Clijsters triumphed, the husband-and-wife team will never have the chance for revenge. This day was a one-off, and all 15,000 present will find themselves asked time and again in the coming weeks: “What was it like under the roof?”

So what was it like? Inevitably – indeed, by definition – it was simply different, and clearly an extraordinary achievement. When the roof first closed, what became evident most quickly was that the unpleasantly cold and blustery May afternoon was literally shut outside.

Under the new structure, the air was still and temperate. The air management system was audible only to those who consciously paused to listen for it, and even then only just. Other sounds were altered – ball on racket was amplified, as was the public address system, but on the other hand the steady traffic of jet aircraft on its way into Heathrow was almost entirely muffled. The light was different, too, a little like a cloudy day in the open air.

Above all, however – and as with all such Big New Things – what was most striking was how quickly all this strange newness became almost ordinary. The focus switched naturally to events on court, which is just as it should be here at SW19.

In terms of the tennis itself, Henman and Clijsters won the opening match of the day, defeating the husband and wife team of Agassi and Graf 7-6. After a short break, Agassi beat the former British number one 6-4 before Clijsters was a 6-4 winner in the final match of the day against seven-time Wimbledon champion Steffi Graf.

“This is a part of history,” said Agassi. “It’s a day we’ll always remember. It’s been a privilege for me and my wife to be here.”

Not just them. On the Centre Court 15,000 people witnessed the future in motion – and it works.

This entry was written by Kate Battersby , posted on 17 May, 2009 at 6:48 pm, filed under Centre Court . Bookmark the permalink . Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post . Trackbacks are closed, but you can post a comment .

輕忽疫情的結果(￣へ ￣ 凸

大阪府知事應該負責下台吧

新型インフル　近づく「感染拡大期」　検疫から地域医療にシフト

5月18日7時56分配信 産経新聞

新型インフルエンザへの国内初感染が神戸市で確認されたのが１６日昼。翌１７日から１８日未明にかけて、感染者数は大阪府も含めて９０人台にまで急増した。関係者からは現在の警戒段階である「国内発生早期」から、「感染拡大期」への突入を覚悟する声が聞かれ始めた。

　 ［表でチェック］積極的疫学調査のポイント

　現在、神戸市や大阪府では、感染拡大を防ぐため、患者の行動を時間をさかのぼって追跡する「疫学調査」を始めている。「疫学調査が役立たないほどに地域でどんどん患者が発生する状態」（厚労省）になると、「感染拡大期」だ。

　厚労省では「段階を切り替えるかを判断するために、現在の疫学調査を急ぐ」という。しかし、すでに感染者の家族などにも感染疑い者が出るなどしており、地域で感染が一気に広がる可能性は高い。１６日に開かれた政府の対策本部専門家諮問委員会でも、「地域での感染がもう始まった」という見解が出されている。

　事前に定められた「行動計画」などによると、国が感染拡大期入りを宣言したとしても、全国一律に警戒レベルが引き上げられるのではなく、地域ごとに弾力的な警戒態勢が取られる。

　感染拡大期入りで、現在と決定的に対応が異なるのが「検疫」だ。現在の厳戒態勢は縮小され、地域の医療態勢の強化に軸足をシフトする。

　備蓄量との兼ね合いから、タミフルなど抗ウイルス薬の予防的投与をする範囲を狭めることも検討される。疫学調査も縮小されることになる。

　さらに、感染拡大が治まらない場合には、地域ごとに「感染拡大期」よりも段階を進めた、国内での“パンデミック（大流行）”状態に相当する「蔓延（まんえん）期」での対策がとられる。

　この段階では現在の態勢とは異なって、感染症状が出ても軽症者は自宅療養するよう呼びかけられる。医療機関で重症患者の治療を集中的に行うことが目的だ。

　行動計画では、「感染拡大期」「蔓延期」に入った際には、企業に不要不急の業務の縮小を要請したり、住民に対して可能な限り外出を控えるように要請されることになっている。

　ただ、今回のウイルスは弱毒性が指摘されていることから、国では行動計画を弾力的に運用することを確認している。

大阪・兵庫で次々と…国内感染者９６人に

2009/05/18 00:31更新

感染拡大する新型インフルエンザ 問題で、新たに大阪府で２８人、兵庫県で２２人の感染が確定した。高校生らが中心とみられるが、大阪府では小６女児（１１）の感染も確認された。成田空港 での水際の検疫で見つかった４人を含め、国内で確認された感染者は９６人になった。

関連記事

  • 感染確定４２人に　いずれも渡航歴なし
  • 大阪で新たに３人感染か　確定なら計２…

記事本文の続き　兵庫県によると、新たに感染が確認された２２人のうち、９人は神戸市灘区の私立六甲高校に通う３年生。

　また、大阪府などによると、新たに感染が分かったのは２８人。八尾市に住む小学６年の女児も含まれていたが、同府茨木市の生徒らとは無関係という。府では「重視すべきケース」としている。

新型インフル　初の国内発生　感染拡大　止められるか

2009/05/17 01:19更新

空港などでの水際対策ではやはり、新型インフルエンザの国内発生を完全に封じることはできなかった。

　厚生労働省 は１６日、神戸市灘区の兵庫県立神戸高校に通う３年の男子生徒（１７）と２年男子（１６）、２年女子（１６）の３人の新型インフルエンザ 感染を、国立感染症研究所の確定検査で確認したと発表した。３人に最近の海外渡航歴はなく、初めて国内での感染発生が確認された。神戸市は別の高校でも５人の感染を確認した。新型インフルエンザ ウイルスは「若者への感染例の多さ」が特徴の１つで、高校生の集団感染の恐れが出ている。

関連記事

記事本文の続き■「渡航歴なし」油断

　フランス 国立衛生研究所などの研究チームによると、メキシコの感染状況から、新型インフルエンザの感染者１人からうつる人数は最大３・１人と推計されるという。これは２０世紀に３回あったインフルエンザの大流行の際とほぼ同じ水準で、１６日に国内感染が確認されたばかりだが、日本でも人から人への感染が広がっている可能性は高い。

　しかも、新型感染が確認された３年の男子生徒の検体は、１２日に神戸市の研究所に提出されていたにもかかわらず、新型感染の遺伝子の詳細（ＰＣＲ）検査が３日間“後回し”にされていた。「渡航歴なし」だったため、生徒を診察し検体を提出した開業医が新型とは疑わず、市も新型感染の疑いのある「発熱外来」からくる検体の検査を優先していたためだ。

前無古人的對戰組合γ(▽´ )ﾂヾ( ｀▽)ゞ

為了測試新完工的天花板，今天晚上有表演賽


ドラえもんから来た手紙
Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters under the Centre Court roof.

A Centre Court Celebration

The new roof over Wimbledon's Centre Court will be used for the first time at A Centre Court Celebration today. Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters will be playing. Follow the day's events on our live blog, as it happens.

Mixed Doubles: A. Agassi/S. Graf v T. Henman/K. Clijsters
Men's Singles: A. Agassi v T. Henman
Ladies' Singles: S. Graf v K. Clijsters

自從2007年温布頓賽後引退，就在沒再看到TIM HENMAN的風采，今晚的比賽雖然是表演性質，但真的很感動(●´ω｀●)ゞ

TIM還是很拘謹靦腆，認真CARE每一球的狀況，而AGASSI夫婦就顯得輕鬆自在多了，尤其AGASSI臉上時時掛著笑，心想這些巨星都除了年紀增長外，個性都沒變哩o(^▽^)o

Mixed Doubles: A. Agassi/S. Graf 6 - 7 T. Henman/K. Clijsters
Men's Singles: A. Agassi 6 - 4 T. Henman
Ladies' Singles: S. Graf 4 - 6 K. Clijsters

19:28 One thing's for sure. The roof has gone down a treat with both the players and spectators alike. Agassi and Henman have both said the enclosure will only magnify the intensity of a match. Spectators are also enthused. Bob Watson of Sheffield said: "You could hear the contact with the ball and that struck me." Anita Clark, also from Sheffield agreed: "We didn't know it was raining. Sometimes air conditioning comes on and everyone is freezing but we were really comfortable." Janet Heath of Scunthorpe added: "It was fantastic. I think it made the atmosphere better, the acoustics, everything. It didn't spoil it." Attention now turns to Wimbledon which starts on 22 June.
18:46 Tim Henman, Kim Clijsters, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are currently in the press interview room for a post-event press conference. We'll be posting an article on what they said later.
18:22 The Agassi husband/wife combo now go up to the box to collect their trophies. Agassi looks on adoringly as Steffi waves to her army of fans.
18:17 Henman and Clijsters are in the Royal Box receiving the trophy for their mixed doubles triumph.
18:14 It's clear class doesn't just disappear. Steffi said she enjoyed getting back into the groove while practicing over the past two months as she rarely plays tennis anymore.
18:13 Steffi admits she couldn't stop smiling during today's celebrations. Despite the initial nerves and the defeat, she said she loved being back on Centre Court ten years after her last visit.
18:11 Graf makes another plea to organisers for a wild card. She said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and didn't want it to end.
18:10 Kim says 'Graf still has those legs' during post-match interview with Sue Barker.
18:09 Clijsters takes the match 6-4 on her fourth match point after Steffi wildly drives a volley wide. Despite the defeat nothing can take the smile off Steffi's face. She looks delighted to be back.
18:05 Graf comes to within one game of Clijsters after a neat exhange at the net. You can sense the crowd don't want this spectacular match to end.
18:03 Graf saves a match point and then gains the advantage at 5-3 with a deft volley.
17:57 Clijsters moves ahead for the first time in the match as she breaks Graf's serve after another close game. It's now 4-3 to the Belgian.
17:50 Clijsters brings the scoreline level to 3-3. We've got quite a tussle going on here. The crowd are certainly getting value for money today - and no rain interruptions!
17:48 Steffi squeals and then takes a breather after a lengthy baseline exchange which ends with the German netting.
17:46 Graf's forehand is still a lethal weapon as she fires a bullet past a helpless Clijsters as she approaches the net.
17:40 Steffi applauds a sizzling Clijsters backhand down the line.
17:39 Clijsters immediately breaks back to bring the scoreline to 2-1.
17:34 Graf proves she's still a force to be reckoned with as she moves to a 2-0 lead.
17:32 Graf takes a 1-0 lead after a lengthy opening game. If the first game is anything to go by it looks like this will be a great match.
17:27 Both players look keen to stay at the back of the court as they slug it out with interesting long rallies.
17:24 Steffi won the toss and chose to serve.
17:22 Steffi and Kim are warming up. The court is playing beautifully. Steve Redgrave has just been spotted in the crowd. He's always enjoyed a spot of tennis.
17:15 Boris says he wants to be invited to play when and if they put another roof on another court at Wimbledon
17:14 Sue invites Boris Becker onto the court. He says he's glad that he wasn't invited to play as he would of been put to shame by Tim and Andre.
17:13 Tim and Andre are being interviewed by Sue Barker. Both players are giving the roof a big thumbs-up and agree it only adds to the atmosphere. Tim says he's looking forward to hanging up his racquet again and getting back on the golf course.
17:10 Agassi throws his arms up in the air after firing a forehand down the line past Henman to win the match 6-4.
17:09 Agassi has a third match point after Henman nets a backhand. Henman promptly wipes it out with a sweet volley.
17:09 It's now 40-40 on Tim's serve after Agassi thrashes a forehand return long.
17:08 Henman saves one match point much to the delight of the crowd.
17:05 Tim's being typically wily, choosing shots which are forcing Andre to move around the court a lot - a useful tactic when you're 34 and your opponent is 39. But the American is still able to chase down a lot of what is coming his way and edges 5-4 ahead. Not a service game dropped yet.
16:59 Interesting news from Spain, where Roger Federer has beaten Rafa Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Madrid Open. Who's brave enough to bet against yet another rematch on Centre Court on 5 July?
16:55 It's 3-2 now and it's very noticeable that the laughs and jokes that dominated the mixed doubles match are few and far between. It's still all very friendly but could it be that these two old pros are taking this seriously?
16:47 Andre continues his fine form from the doubles by serving to win the first game. Tim levels but the American's serving looks as solid as ever as he moves into a 2-1 lead.
16:41 The two main men are back on court ready for their singles clash. Before they get under way, there's a surprise admission at courtside by Andy Murray, who reveals that he supported Agassi over Henman when he was growing up. Tim gives the crowd his best pained look.
16:26 World No. 3 Andy Murray has walked on court to rapturous applause and described the roof as 'beautiful'.
16:24 Tim Henman and Andre Agassi are up on Centre Court next.
16:17 Kim praises the court and tells Sue Barker there is no problem with the roof. Tim Henman agrees: "Once they close the roof, it is the most fantastic playing conditions, there's no moisture on the court. Andre quips: "My wife is so much better at tennis than Tim's wife."
16:14 But it's Kim and Tim that emerge the victors as Andre hits a ball long. The crowd leaps to its feet and the noise is deafening.
16:12 Andre Agassi earns the biggest cheer when he reaches what appears to be an impossible ball and curves it into the court. The game couldn't get any closer 5-5 on tie-break.
16:08 A double fault by Andre proves costly handing Kim and Tim a 2-1 lead.
16:07 The set will now be decided on a tie-break.
16:01 Drama unfolds on Centre Court as a a return by Andre hits Kimmy clean in the stomach. He apologises, Steffi pretends to hit her husband over the head and the pair check to see that the Belgian is OK. Kimmy is all smiles but we bet there'll be a bruise on her belly come the morning. In the next game, Andre holds serve and levels the first set at 5-5.
15:54 Steffi may not have played since 1999 but she still possesses the flair that made her a champion. The forehand is on fire, the volleys textbook and it earns a well-deserved kiss and cuddle from hubby.
15:43 Steffi and Andre hold serve. The women then show the men how it is done by indulging in a forehand-fest. Hitting deep, accurate balls, the men can only watch, hands on hips as the ladies do battle and decide against interfering. The set is now two game apiece.
15:35 Henman serves out the first game, which is filled with volley-dominated rallies. A sneaky backhand volley by Kimmy saves the pair a breakpoint, while a netted forehand by Agassi sees the Brit/Belgian duo skip off with the first game.
15:25 ...still in the warm up and Agassi just hit a serve miles out of court much to the amusement of the crowd. Steffi will be looking for a new partner if he continues at this rate.
15:23 It's beginning to spit outside and, for once, we don't mind! Steffi and Andre can't stop smiling as they warm up against Henman and Clijsters.
15:16 Our reporters have been chatting to fans around the grounds. Check out the photos at www.facebook.com/wimbledon
15:13 Centre Court is being dressed in preparation for the mixed doubles encounter, which will be one set.
15:04 Even our singing stars can't disobey the Wimbledon rules. Both Katherine and Faryl Smith are wearing flats with their glitzy evening dresses, not heels.
14:55 The concert under a concertina is in full swing as Blake, a four-man band who won Album of the Year Award at the Classical BRITs in 2008, take to the podium. The roof might be closed but it takes 20-30 minutes for the air management system to kick in. This ensures the court is bone dry.
14:45 The roof is now closing. It takes between eight and nine minutes and the voice of opera singers Katherine Jenkins and Faryl Smith fill the arena.
14:45 Five-time champion Roger Federer, has sent a message from Madrid:
So often we wait around, I know that can be fun but after a few days we want to see a match. That's why it's so great to have that opportunity now," he said.
"I am very excited to see how it's going to work. It's nice to see that Wimbledon has a taken a big step in the right direction
14:45 Centre Court is packed to the rafters as Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters step on court. Husband and wife duo Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have walked on to the hallowed turf to a standing ovation.

Clijsters, who retired in May 2007, will be returning to the sport competitively at this year's US Open.

14:26 The grounds of SW19 are packed with former Wimbledon champions. I've just witnessed Pat Cash handing out sandwiches in the press office and Boris Becker will be watching former title-holders Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi from the Royal Box.

The atmosphere is now buzzing on Centre Court as the crowds settle into the new plush, padded seats. Sue Barker has stepped on court and the BBC is live streaming all the action from a Centre Court celebration.

14:05 Centre Court is starting to fill up nicely. In the middle of Centre Court a man is turning around very slowly with holding what looks to be a large pole &ndash he's taking a 360 degree panoramic photograph of Centre Court which we will be putting on the Wimbledon Website next week.
13:58 Matthias has asked what the running order is today. Well, at 2:30pm we will have some on-court interviews, before the roof closes. Faryl Smith, Blake and Katherine Jenkins will be entertaining the crowd with a selection of songs. At 3pm we will have a mixed doubles match, followed by Agassi v Henman and finally Graf v Clijsters.
13:14 Two people who will have more interest than most in the new Centre Court roof can't be here today for a very good reason - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are contesting the final of the Madrid Open. But Roger has told journalists at that tournament that he has his own reliable source for info on all things SW19-related. The five-time Wimbledon champion said: "In Australia, Tim Phillips and I always have tea and talk a little bit. "He explains how it's going to work with the roof and he asked me what I thought."
13:02 Just had a walk around the grounds. Lovely gentle atmosphere out there with far fewer people than you'd have on a normal matchday. Even spotted Tim Phillips, the Chairman of the All England Club, walking around looking very relaxed. When I suggested that the atmosphere was just like the middle Sunday at the Championships, he said: "That's a very good description."
12:41 Matthias has asked whether the roof would be open if it is a sunny day today. The answer is no – new roof and air management system in front of a capacity crowd of 15,000, while the roof is on.
12:13 The sun has come out and the roof is open.
12:02 The gates are now open and ticket holders are being allowed in...
09:45 There's been rain in the Wimbledon area this morning and the Centre Court roof is currently closed.
09:09 Good morning! Today will be the first time we'll see matches under the brand-spanking new Centre Court roof. It promises to be a brilliant day, with husband-and-wife duo Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf in action, along with former British no.1 Tim Henman and the recently un-retired Kim Clijsters.

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Comments: A Centre Court Celebration (17 May 2009)

Total comments: 29

WONDERFUL! BEAUTIFUL! NICE COURT!!! por fin lo techan!!! NO MORE WATER! NO RAIN!!! YEAH!!!!

Emiliano Flematti (Paraná, Argentina)

21:22:24 (17/05/2009)

It is really great that Agassi, Graf, Clijsters and Henman were playing together today. They should play together more often, in different places. Good tennis needs of talented people like them. In Peru any of them would be very well received, like the stars they are. Andy Roddick was playing in Lima a month ago, for example. !Come soon to Lima, admired Andre, Steffi, Kim and Tim!

Gianmarco Farfán Cerdán (Lima, Peru)

21:21:13 (17/05/2009)

I would really like that Steffi and Andre appear more often on the court for this kind of events.... I really miss them...(:

Koala (Port Macquarie, Australia)

18:25:58 (17/05/2009)

I don't, normally, watch daytime tv but your quite inspired matchings has had me riveted to BBC2. Congratulations, a wonderful afternoon.

Gerald Ramshaw (Weybridge, United Kingdom)

18:17:04 (17/05/2009)

Anyone know what the song was that was playing in the background during the montage at the start of the show?

Jimmy Smith (Manchester, United Kingdom)

18:07:46 (17/05/2009)

Steffi Graff is still my all time fav. You're still look great !

Trong Nguyen (Kitchener . Ontario, Canada)

17:53:32 (17/05/2009)

what was the name of the song the blake band sung during inauguration ?

lijo philip (kerala, India)

17:44:25 (17/05/2009)

it was brother jacquot :) my dear

marc antoine (birtall, United Kingdom)

16:42:58 (17/05/2009)

Why is it that they play the double first instead of vice versa as it usually the fact that organizers schedule the singles first ?

JU JU (Kanton, China)

16:31:28 (17/05/2009)

what was the name of the song that the lady sing during the ceremony?? it was kind of an opera style. thanks for the answer

lionel bob (switzerland, Switzerland)

15:57:52 (17/05/2009)

I'm in Dublin and i cant see it because of message "not broadcasting in your territory". what a dissapointment. hopefully we can see the replay at some point, for all the irish tennis fans.

carl (Dublin, Ireland)

15:57:49 (17/05/2009)

It is so sweet to see those four in their white dresses...But its getting late here in down under and I am getting sleepy as usual... good night...!

Koala (Port Macquarie, Australia)

15:57:10 (17/05/2009)

So so so so disappointed. I looked in the Radio Times instead of on this website. Nothing in the RT to say there were events before 3.30 pm. So I've missed the closing of the roof and everything !!!!

Joyce Hackney (DERBY, United Kingdom)

15:24:54 (17/05/2009)

I wish I could be there today, twice I have had tickets for Wimbledon and both times the days were a "washout" maybe I will try for tickets again next year.

Sheila Shoesmith (Mississauga, Canada)

15:18:13 (17/05/2009)

I just thought about to have some other players for such an opening act. In contrast to those four, who really like each other on or off the court and will blow kisses all around, what about a double featuring McEnroe/Vilas facing of Connors/Nastase which would provide a lot more sporting competitivness and some more brawl and referee agitating and nasty stuff:)..But yeah I understand, everybody wants to have love and peace today for such an event..But truth to be told I am fiery guy..!!!:)

Matthias Höflich (Eidengesäß, United Kingdom)

15:16:33 (17/05/2009)

I am desperately dissapointed..Once in a while I watch football from the fiji, bowling from Hungary or deepseafishing from Canada via the internets but there´s no one providing me something from Wimbledon ??? That can´t be true !!!!

Matthias Höflich (Eidengesäß, United Kingdom)

15:04:43 (17/05/2009)

I just found out, can´t see it..I need help...BBC website just streaming in the UK and star sports channel is switched off, what can I do ??? Why isn´it streamed off the wimbledon website ????

Matthias Höflich (Linsengericht, Germany)

14:33:37 (17/05/2009)

Why is the double match first? Oh Kim, finally!!

Jonas De Keukelaere (Aalter, Belgium)

14:24:00 (17/05/2009)

I hope I get a chance to see Stefi play I always liked the way she played but all are good

Brian Danielson (Coon Rapids Minnesota, United States)

14:12:31 (17/05/2009)

I have just prepared a strawberry cake with cream to enjoy Andre and Steffi.. What a beautiful sunday that is...:)

Matthias Höflich (Linsengericht, Germany)

14:12:31 (17/05/2009)

How is the exact game plan ?..Are they just play the mixed doubles or are singles with Steffi playing Kim and Andre contesting with Tim as well ??? Do they play two sets with a champions tiebreak like at the seniors tour ?

Matthias Höflich (Linsengericht, Germany)

13:36:11 (17/05/2009)

I have seen now the one minute clip from the BBC Website where they showed the Centre Court from above probably from a helicopter and it is really strange to see that white roof in a foremost traditional green coloured wimbledon areal..:) After watching the extended interview with Andre and Steffi and really looking forward to their mixed doubles coverage on the internets...:) I have been three times to Wimbledon in person in the last twenty years and I may consider probably next year to make another return....It was such rememorable trip the last time when I camped almost the whole week on the streets in front of the games to have some nice memory about stuff in the famous queue having the luck to enjoy the champhions in this specific year with NO RAIN at all and enjoying the last matches of Boris Becker in Wimbledon...

Matthias Höflich (Eidengesäß, Germany)

13:20:52 (17/05/2009)

Wish they were playing singles instead!

Mike (Horsham, United Kingdom)

12:59:54 (17/05/2009)

Am lucky enough to have tickets and am really looking forward to watching tennis greats today. Looks like the rain will hold off too!

Charlotte Trotman (Wimbledon, United Kingdom)

12:42:55 (17/05/2009)

Steffi - my all time favourite. Wish I could be there but did not manage to get tickets - I sahll watch on TV. 4 Greats, Steffi, Kim, Andre and our dear TIM ENJOY

Janice Kersey (Wymondham, Norfolk, United Kingdom)

12:38:56 (17/05/2009)

I would really like to know if it would be a nice sunny day in Wimbledon today, would they close the roof for the game anyway or not ?:) Matthias... I follow the championships for many years and I still can´t imagine to have a roof above centre court of Wimbledon SW 19:)

Matthias Höflich (Eidengesäß, Germany)

12:25:18 (17/05/2009)

How good to have a roof over centre court, no more staying up all night hoping for the rain to stop so we in OZ can see some tennis.Have a great day everyone thats lucky enough to be there !!

Nikki Harding (Sydney, Australia)

12:25:06 (17/05/2009)

I'm so looking forward to see the matches under the new roof. I expext everything runs smoothly. Should be great fun to see Andre and Steffi in doubles! Every year I come Wimbledon in since 1987 and buy tickets on the day but couln't get tickets for this event! I shall watch it on BBC 2! Can't wait to see the new roof when the Championships starts! I think the Club has done a fantastic job!

Leo Dijkman (The Haque, Netherlands)

12:13:21 (17/05/2009)

My daughter has just called me and she is on the bus from Wimbledon station! So excited about today to see 4 greats play is a thrill of a lifetime.I'll be watching on the tv and wishing I was there in person.Andre has been our favourite for years.

Paula Pearce (London, United Kingdom)

11:20:18 (17/05/2009)