Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic implores locals to allow the building of 39 new courts which he says will make the All England Club 'truly outstanding'
Novak Djokovic will surely be facing some tricky opponents over the coming days – but he may find there are none tougher than the SW19 locals.
The seven-time champion yesterday encouraged those living close to the All England Club to allow plans for Wimbledon to build 39 new courts on the famous site.
Djokovic, 38, was reacting to objections by residents which have held up the expansion project – which would include a third showcourt – for years.
The plans were rejected on the grounds the mixture of public and private courts, plus a 23-acre public park, would affect the 'openness' of a golf course owned by the club which has been closed to the public for a century.
Djokovic said Wimbledon is a 'special place', but delivering on their expansion will make it 'truly outstanding'.
He told The Mail on Sunday: 'Having the new courts and all the beautiful new parkland, on what was a golf course, is a real win for everyone in my opinion. I hope they can deliver it soon.'
While Angela Rayner and Wimbledon might not seem the most natural bedfellows, the Housing Secretary's move to relax planning rules is the club's best hope of breaking the impasse.
She has vowed to speed up the planning process to boost developments across the UK.
Backing Djokovic's call, four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman said: 'All other Grand Slams hold their qualifying events on their main site, which creates a sense of anticipation for players – an important part of the lead up to the main tournament that we'd like to also harness at Wimbledon.
'Qualifying is currently held on a leased site at Roehampton, which means we cannot invest in the long-term improvements that we need to provide a world- leading environment for those playing in qualifying.'
He added: 'This project will allow us to keep pace with the other Grand Slams and provide the best possible experience for players and spectators from around the world.'
A backer of the proposals said they would ' deliver one of the greatest sporting transformations for London since 2012', adding: 'They are crucial to ensuring Wimbledon remains at the pinnacle of tennis... and a global attraction for both London and the UK.'
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