Center Court fans no longer at mercy of rain

LONDON: Never again will Wimbledon stage a men's final such as last year's rain-soaked epic in which Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's five-year reign as dusk fell over southwest London.

The contest which finished in near-darkness thanks to two rain breaks will be consigned to Wimbledon folklore as the All England Club prepares to unveil its newest innovation when the grasscourt grand slam begins on Monday - a translucent retractable roof over Centre Court.

The showers and fading light added extra drama to the five-set thriller won by Nadal 12 months ago but such episodes are usually an unwelcome sight for weather-weary Wimbledon fans.