Wimbledon aiming for full capacity on Centre Court from semifinals

LONDON - This year's Wimbledon Championships are expected to have 100 percent capacity on Centre Court for the semifinals and finals, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC) said on Wednesday.

The AELTC confirmed that the tournament has been approved to take place as a pilot event in the third phase of the UK Government Events Research Programme, which means that the event will begin on June 28 with 50 percent capacity across the grounds. Stadium capacities for Centre Court and No 1 Court will open at 50 percent capacity, while the smaller Show Courts will be permitted to open at 75 percent capacity from that day.

The AELTC aims to increase Centre and No 1 Courts' allocations for the fourth round and quarterfinals, before having 100 percent capacity on Centre Court for the semifinals and final.

The AELTC also announced total prize money of 35 million pounds (about 48 million US dollars) for this year's championships, with the women's and men's singles winners each receiving 1.7 million pounds (about 2.38 million dollars), a decrease of 27.7 percent from 2019.

The total prize money represents a 5.2 percent decrease on 2019, but singles players who fail to reach the semifinals could earn more prize money than in the last edition.

The AELTC said that the focus of distribution has been on supporting players in the early rounds.

In other news, Britain's Andy Murray and American veteran Venus Williams have both received wild card entries.

Last year's Wimbledon Championships were canceled due to public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cancelation was the first time since the second World War that Wimbledon, the world's oldest tennis tournament, had not taken place.