39 new grass courts: Wimbledon facility faces massive expansion

The London city government, led by Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe, will most likely clear the way for a $200 million expansion of the All England Lawn Tennis Club next Friday. In November last year, a corresponding application was rejected by Wandsworth Borrow Council (a district neighboring Wimbledon). Now the political pressure from the mayor’s office has probably become too strong to continue opposing the expansion plans.

Wimbledon faces massive expansion

While conservationists and citizens’ initiatives are finding it difficult to accept the expansion of the club’s grounds, the hearts of the organizers of the world’s most prestigious tennis event are beating faster. Fans can also look forward to the planned 39 new grass courts – one of which will be a show court with a capacity of 8,000 spectators. In addition, transformative processes are to be set in motion. For example, the newly built green areas are not to have too negative an impact through extensive new planting and regulation of the Wimbledon Park pond.

All England Lawn Tennis Club Chairman Deborah Jevans sums up: “The land we are looking to improve has been used as a private members’ golf course for over a hundred years. As a core part of this project we will create 27 hectares of beautiful new parkland, which will be free to the public. We will massively improve the championships and give back to the community.”