British tennis ace Tim Henman backs controversial £200 million expansion of Wimbledon
British tennis star Tim Henman has voiced his support for a proposed controversial £200 million expansion of Wimbledon.
On the eve of this year’s championship, the four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist warned that the current venue is ‘struggling’ to meet the needs of top tennis players and that a proposed major redevelopment will ensure it remains the world’s top tournament.
The All England Club, which organizes the event, wants to build 39 new grass courts, including an 8,000-capacity show court, on a former golf course opposite the site.
But the project, which will see the historic club triple in size from 42 to 115 hectares, is being opposed by local campaigners, who are calling it an ‘industrial tennis complex’.
British tennis star Tim Henman has voiced his support for a proposed controversial £200 million expansion of Wimbledon
The All England Club, which organizes the event, wants to build 39 new grass courts, including an 8,000-capacity show court, on a former golf course opposite the site
The mayor of LondonThe company’s office will decide the arrangement, and a crucial planning hearing will take place later this summer.
But last night BBC Pundit Henman, 49, a former world number 4, highlighted how Wimbledon is the only of the four Grand Slam tournaments where qualifying matches are not held at the same venue as the main draw.
“Transforming the former golf course to host the qualifying event on site will provide world-class facilities for players and allow more fans to get closer to the action. It really is a win-win situation,” Henman told The Mail on Sunday.
‘Current practice facilities struggle to meet the performance needs of elite athletes, and this is holding the club back from maintaining its position in a competitive sporting landscape.
But the project, which will see the historic club triple in size from 42 to 115 hectares, is being opposed by local campaigners, who have dubbed it an ‘industrial tennis complex’.
‘These proposals will enable Wimbledon to stay ahead of other global sporting events and will secure the championships’ status at the pinnacle of the sport for decades to come.’
In addition to the new facilities, the club proposes to create 27 hectares of publicly accessible parkland. But the plans are facing fierce opposition.
Christopher Coombe, of the Save Wimbledon Park Group, said: ‘The golf course is heavily protected – it is a green belt. It is a monumental park. The buildings and the amount of development they propose are way too much.”
The plan is also opposed by the Tory and Lib Dem candidates in the marginal seat of Wimbledon.
Debbie Jevans, chairman of the All England Club, said last night: ‘The long-term benefit of this transformation will outweigh any short-term disruption.’
