Wimbledon defends roof decision

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July
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Wimbledon boss Ian Ritchie has defended the use of the Centre Court roof during Andy Murray's epic victory over Stanislas Wawrinka on Monday.

Murray claimed he had not been given enough notice the roof would be closed and questioned the need for its use.

But All England Club chief executive Ritchie said: "The forecast was that there was a 70% chance of a heavy shower with a risk of a thunderstorm.

"You would be slightly foolish if you didn't close the roof."

Murray's match finished at 2238 BST - the latest finish in Wimbledon history.

"There was also always a chance that the match wouldn't finish under normal light," said Ritchie.

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"There were two options. First, we could have got them on for 10 minutes and had a heavy shower and come off which no-one would have liked.

"And there was a possibility of it being dark and bringing them off again. At least there was certainty with it being closed."

Ritchie revealed that the Murray camp had been told of the likelihood the roof would be closed during the previous match between Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo.

He also played down the British number one's unhappiness at the humidity levels in the indoor Centre Court.

"It was very humid generally," said Ritchie. "We thought the conditions were fine and perfectly playable. The court was perfectly dry, I've not heard anyone say it was slippery on court.

"There was enough humidity taken out to make the playing surface dry. Could we have taken more out? We learn each time something happens here. If some lessons are to be learned we will do so."

Ritchie added: "The standard of tennis was fantastic. It produced a fantastic event for people here and for millions on TV. From where I'm sitting it was a great success."

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