The All England Club, Wimbledon, today announced that its investment in new facilities is to continue with the construction of a new 4000-seat No.2 Court in time for the 2009 Championships.

The plan for the new court, which was granted planning consent by the London Borough of Merton in March 2007, is a modified version of that originally submitted in 2002 and includes the rearrangement of the existing southern courts to improve spectator access. A new 2000-seat No.3 Court is also envisaged, but no time scale has yet been set for this element.

In outline the proposals comprise:

New No.2 Court


4,000 seat show court on the site of current Court 13.

In order not to intrude on neighbours’ views, the single storey structure will be about 3.5m above ground level, with the playing surface around 3.5m below ground level.

Upgraded facilities for the players and spectators, including retail and catering.

Public lavatories also for use by the overnight queue.

Improved media facilities.

Realignment of Courts 4-11 and widening of key walkways


Wider system of walkways, incorporating ramp access, to improve the safe circulation and overall comfort of spectators and players.

Main thoroughfare of St. Mary’s Walk to be continued south from Centre Court to form a more direct route north-south through the grounds.
New Court No. 3

Construction of a new 2,000-seat court on the site of existing No.2 Court.

To include improved spectator facilities – catering, merchandising, public lavatories.

Enhancing the appearance of the Club’s grounds
As well as the new playing and spectator facilities, grounds to be enhanced in line with the Long Term Plan setting of ‘tennis in an English garden’ To include:


Landscape proposals – a mixture of free-standing and permanent planting to soften the environment and enhance the open character of the grounds.

Further renewal of the boundary wall around the perimeter of the grounds to improve their external appearance: