Murray criticizes 80-mn pounds Centre Court roof for casting shadows
By ANIThursday, June 25, 2009
LONDON - World No.3 Andy Murray has criticised the new roof on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, complaining that it casts too much of a shadow while playing. imbledon’s 80 million pounds retractable roof built to protect the Centre Court from rain was used for the first time to shield spectators from the blistering sun. Some 15,000 Centre Court fans sweated it out in temperatures up to 92°F (33.4°C) as they waited to see British Andy Murray in action.
The British number one played much of his first round match in the shade after part of the movable structure was closed to shield those in the Royal Box from the sun.
Although he won in four sets, he appeared to slip at times and seemed unsure of the surface, The Telegraph reports.The problem with the roof is that even when it is open it juts out and creates a big shadow over a lot of the court. When I was playing a lot of the court was in darkness because of it. At the back of the court it’s slippy and it’s quite difficult to move,” he said on Wednesday.
“It seems to be worse later on when the sun is starting to go down which is what happened when I was playing. But what can they do about it? I’m not sure.”
Temperatures midweek were even hotter than Tuesday, with the thermometer reading 35 degrees Celsius in the sun and 25 degrees Celsius in the shade.
The roof was moved 5feet to put the Royal Box in the shade, cooling off guests including Prince Michael of Kent and rugby union bigwig Francis Baron. A canopy, which used to protect VIPs was removed when the new roof was built. (ANI)
