logo
Here's how Wimbledon expansion could look after High Court ruling

Here's how Wimbledon expansion could look after High Court ruling

Metro2 days ago
Plans to nearly treble Wimbledon's size will proceed after a judge denied a legal challenge against the expansion's planning permission.
The proposals will see an additional 39 courts, including an 8-000-seat stadium, called the Parkland Show Court, to be added.
Space will be created on the grounds of the old Wimbledon Park golf club.
As well as the new court infrastructure, seven new maintenance buildings and access points will be built around the site.
The conversion of the private golf course will also open up around 27 acres of parkland with public access.
Meanwhile, parts of Wimbledon Lake will be remodelled, including the addition of a boardwalk around and across it.
The works will increase the daily spectator capacity for the annual summer tennis tournament from 42,000 to 50,000.
As a result, the qualifying event for the competition will be able to move back to the site from nearby Roehampton.
The 120-year-old Wimbledon Park golf club was sold to the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which owns the site and runs the tournament, for £65 million in 2018.
Wimbledon's expansion is thought to have been driven by fears that it could start to trail rival Grand Slam venues in Australia, France and the US who have invested hundreds of millions in state-of-the-art upgrades in recent years.
Bosses hope the park will be able to partly open next year, with the grass courts completed by 2027.
They would enter use for the qualifiers and championships by 2029 after the grass has matured.
The Parkland Show Court is expected to be complete by 2030.
Save Wimbledon Park's (SWP), the campaign group behind the High Court challenge, suggested it will appeal, adding: 'SWP is not taking this step lightly but believes that the GLA did make a significant legal error in the way it dealt with the special legal status of the park.'
Christopher Coombe, director of SWP, said: 'This judgment would, if it stands, set a worrying precedent for the unwanted development of protected green belt and public open spaces around London and across the country.
'The (All England Club) will surely have noted the considerable public outrage about this development, most recently expressed outside the law courts, and we continue to hope that they could be persuaded to engage constructively with us, with a view to achieving a resolution of this four-year-old dispute.'
Deborah Jevans CBE, chairwoman of the All England Club, said: 'We are delighted that Mr Justice Saini has dismissed the challenge to the GLA's decision to grant planning permission for our plans to transform the former Wimbledon Park golf course.
'It is clear that we have a robust planning permission that enables us to create a permanent home for the Wimbledon qualifying competition as well as delivering 27 acres of beautiful new parkland for local people, providing public access to land that has been a private golf course for over 100 years.
'We have spoken to more than 10,000 people who have taken the time to come in person and understand our plans in detail.
'The vast majority of people just want us to get on and deliver the many benefits on offer as soon as possible.
'We now turn our attention to separate legal proceedings to give everyone reassurance that there is not, nor has there ever been, a statutory trust over the former golf course land.
'This hearing is due to take place in January 2026.'
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan added: 'This is welcome news that will cement Wimbledon's reputation as the greatest tennis competition in the world and London as the sporting capital of the world.
'This scheme will bring a significant range of economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits to the local area, the wider capital and the UK economy, creating new jobs and green spaces.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Wimbledon finalist announces break from tennis to 'rediscover the joy of simply living'
MORE: British tennis star given four-year doping ban 18 months after being cleared of wrongdoing
MORE: I'm the tennis-mad fan who proposed on Henman Hill at Wimbledon
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Emma Raducanu's US Open final opponent Leylah Fernandez asks lucky fan out on DATE before major tennis tournament
Emma Raducanu's US Open final opponent Leylah Fernandez asks lucky fan out on DATE before major tennis tournament

Scottish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Emma Raducanu's US Open final opponent Leylah Fernandez asks lucky fan out on DATE before major tennis tournament

FER REAL Emma Raducanu's US Open final opponent Leylah Fernandez asks lucky fan out on DATE before major tennis tournament Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMA RADUCANU'S US Open final opponent asked one lucky fan out on a DATE. Leylah Fernandez rose to stardom as a teenager with her thrilling run to the final in New York in 2021. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Leylah Fernandez is inviting fans to slide into her DMs to go on a date Credit: 4 Fernandez lost the 2021 US Open final to Emma Raducanu Credit: Getty She was eventually beaten by two sets to love by qualifier Raducanu who did not drop a single set all the way through from qualifying to getting her hands on the trophy in incredible scenes. Now five years on, Fernandez is looking for a different kind of love. That is because the Canadian, 22, revealed on social media she is hoping to find a partner - and figured the best bet would be to meet up with a fan. The tennis tour is about to head for its Canadian swing, with Fernandez the home favourite as the world No36 for the WTA 1000 event in Montreal. READ MORE TENNIS NEWS IT'S AN EMMA-GENCY Fears for Raducanu and Alcaraz partnership as US Open hit by withdrawals But as well as her bid to win on the court, the lefty is hoping to be successful off it, too. Fernandez took to Instagram to reveal her plan. She said in the video: "In Montreal, I would like to go on a date." The camera then fuzzes as someone in the background hilariously makes a gagging sound and Fernandez collapses into laughter on the sofa. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS She then added: "Hey guys. You know what I really wanna do that I haven't done is going on a date. "I'm not a big fan of dating apps so I'm actually going to do things my own way. Venus Williams confirms engagement to actor partner as she rolls back years to win first match in two years "I'm going to go on one date for one hour in Montreal. "So if you want to be my date, DM me, let me know about yourself and see you there. See ya!" Fernandez then captioned the post: "This will be fun, right? "This isn't a joke. I fully intend to go on a date in Montreal so go ahead and DM me… time to shoot your shot. "PS: you may have to meet my dad beforehand (good luck with that)." While one former US Open finalist is on the lookout for love, another has already found it. Two-time champion Venus Williams, 45, made a shock return to tennis with her first win for two years this week. Tennis stars' new careers PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring. But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best… I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend I'm last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I'm singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts I'm former world No1 but quit aged 29 - instead I went on to play professional poker and golf I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist The WTA Tour veteran looked like she'd never been away as she defeated world No35 Peyton Stearns, 22 years her junior, 6-3 6-4 in front of a raucous night session crowd - and fiance Andrea Preti. In doing so, Williams became the second-oldest woman ever to win a singles match at tour level, only behind Martina Navratilova, who did so at 47 years old. After her historic triumph, Williams opened up on court about her engagement to actor partner Andrea Preti - and credited him for keeping her going in the sport. The tennis icon said: "My fiance is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing. "There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? "You guys don't know how much work goes into this, like it's 9 to 5 except you're running the whole time." 4 Venus Williams is engaged to fiance Andrea Preti Credit: Getty

Spencer Horwitz's slam powers Pirates' sweep of Tigers, 6-1
Spencer Horwitz's slam powers Pirates' sweep of Tigers, 6-1

Reuters

time5 hours ago

  • Reuters

Spencer Horwitz's slam powers Pirates' sweep of Tigers, 6-1

July 23 - Spencer Horwitz's grand slam backed up a quality start from Bailey Falter and helped the host Pittsburgh Pirates finish off a three-game sweep of the frontrunning Detroit Tigers with a 6-1 victory on Wednesday afternoon. Horwitz belted his third home run of the season and first career grand slam in the second inning off Detroit prospect Troy Melton (0-1), who made his major league debut. The 416-foot blast, which came with two outs, gave Pittsburgh a 5-0 lead and put the Pirates on course for their fourth series sweep of the season and 10th win in their past 13 home games. Horwitz finished 7-for-12 with seven RBIs in the series. The Tigers lost their third in a row and for the ninth time in their past 10 games. They were swept for the third time this season and second time in their past three series. Melton's rough day ended after five innings in which he allowed six runs on seven hits, including two home runs, walking two and striking out seven. Andrew McCutchen had the other home run in the bottom of the first -- his ninth of the season -- to put Pittsburgh ahead 1-0. Oneil Cruz had two hits and an RBI and stole two bases, bringing his season total to 33. Bryan Reynolds also continued his torrid hitting with two hits, including his 21st double of the season. Detroit produced its lone run in the top of the seventh when Falter (7-5) allowed a double to Spencer Torkelson and a single to Matt Vierling with one out. But Falter was sharp beyond that, delivering a bounce-back performance in which he struck out eight with no walks, and allowed the lone run on four hits in seven innings. Zach McKinstry, Wenceel Perez and Colt Keith each had a hit for the Tigers, who have scored only nine runs in six games since the All-Star break, with five of those coming in Tuesday's 8-5 loss. To make room for Melton on the active and 40-man rosters, the Tigers placed ace Tarik Skubal on the paternity list and designated center fielder Brewer Hicklen for assignment. --Field Level Media

Tennis ace Carlos Alcaraz surprises Madrid runners after Wimbledon
Tennis ace Carlos Alcaraz surprises Madrid runners after Wimbledon

South Wales Argus

time5 hours ago

  • South Wales Argus

Tennis ace Carlos Alcaraz surprises Madrid runners after Wimbledon

The Spanish ace, 22, lost in a thrilling Wimbledon final against Jannik Sinner earlier this month to end his title defence after lifting the famous trophy in both 2023 and 2024. Alcaraz is a five-time Grand Slam champion having also won the French Open twice and US Open back in 2022. A couple of weeks on from Wimbledon, the world No.2 surprised runners - including many Brits - by taking part in a 5k run through Madrid's largest park, Casa de Campo. In his first public appearance as GetPRO's Chief Progress Officer, Alcaraz appeared in a pop-up office within the park, to cheer on runners and celebrate their progress as they crossed the finish line, including shouting his signature 'Vamos!'. Alcaraz, who's fresh off another impressive season of tennis, said: 'Cheering the runners on and seeing their determination and energy up close reminded me how powerful a progress mindset can be. 'Whether it was someone's first 5K or their hundredth, every runner out there was chasing their own version of growth, and that's what this is all about..' After the run, Carlos handed out mementos to mark their achievements, along with a range of GetPRO's high-protein snacks. From Grand Slam glory to grassroots grit, Alcaraz continues to prove that progress isn't just about podiums. Whether you're chasing a personal best or just getting started, the message is simple: progress is personal, and worth celebrating.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store