BBC agrees new Wimbledon contract

The Centre Court had no roof during its refurbishment in 2007

BBC Sport has secured the rights to broadcast Wimbledon until 2014.

The new five-year extension will incorporate TV, radio, broadband and, for the first time, BBC iPlayer.

"We are deeply proud of historic ties with Wimbledon, but this is focused on state-of-the-art digital services," said BBC director of sport Roger Mosey.

Digital viewers will again be able to enjoy extensive extra coverage of the Championships via the red button, which will also be available on broadband.

Wimbledon was first staged in 1877 and moved to its present site in 1922, with the BBC screening the event for the first time 15 years later.

The new contract will also enable coverage of the two major courts, Centre and Number One, on the BBC's Higher Definition (HD) channel.

"We're determined to make the event an even bigger part of our national sporting life through the use of new technology and working with the club to innovate across digital platforms," Mosey added.

Chief executive of the All England Club, Ian Ritchie, also welcomed the deal.

"Like the BBC, we are always looking to bring The Championships to a wider audience at the same time as improving the overall quality of the coverage.

"Through the latest digital technology Wimbledon fans can choose to stay in touch with all the drama and action in a way that suits them best."