WIMBLEDON, England(AP) Having once refused to play at Wimbledon because of its stodgy traditions, Andre Agassi will get a unique look at perhaps the biggest change ever to come to the All England Club.
Agassi will become one of the first players to see the Centre Court's retractable roof close over his head on Sunday, before teaming with wife Steffi Graf in a mixed doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters for a televised inauguration of the new structure.
The roof, which is meant to prevent the long rain delays that often plague the Grand Slam tournament, means that some matches at this year's tournament will essentially be played indoors for the first time.
The move to modernize is a welcome sight for Agassi, who boycotted the traditionalist event for three years after his debut in 1987, when he was a brash teenager known for his long hair and colorful outfits. He returned in 1991 - wearing traditional all-white clothes - and won his first Grand Slam title here the next year.
Sometimes it's hard to fully accept change in some respects,'' Agassi said at a news conference Saturday.It's an exciting change, it's an asset for fans and for players. I'm anxious to get out there and experience it myself.''
He recalled the first-round match in 1991 that he played against Grant Connell, which was scheduled for Monday but started on Thursday and did not finish until Saturday because of rain.
I felt like rain delays were pretty exhausting for me,'' Agassi said.I found it a difficult balance. I had a lot of nervous energy I found it difficult to deal with.''
Henman said he was impressed by the new addition when he practiced under the closed roof.
It's a fantastic addition,'' said Henman, who reached four Wimbledon semifinals but repeatedly fell short of becoming the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win.We were there on the court late in the evening last week with the roof closed and the lights on, and it was fantastic. I think its going to be even better when it's full.''
After the mixed doubles, Agassi plays Henman and Clijsters takes on Graf in singles matches.
Interest in the event has been huge in England, with 15,000 tickets at $53 each selling out in minutes. The matches will be broadcast live both in Britain and the United States, and organizers are using them as a dress rehearsal for the real tournament, which begins June 23.
There is a purpose to the event,'' said Ian Ritchie, the chief executive of the All England Club.With a full house we want to see what the lights are like, to test humidity and check it's bone dry. ... With several weeks to go before the championships we can learn what the environment is like.''
For Clijsters, who retired two years ago and has since had a baby, it was training for Sunday's event that inspired her to announce a comeback in March. She is skipping Wimbledon, but plans to enter the U.S. Open in August.
A few weeks into training and working hard, I really got that hunger back,'' the 25-year-old Clijsters said.I still have a few months to work but everything is going as planned and I'm really excited about it.''
Agassi, meanwhile, said he as played very little recently apart from a few charity events.
I'm slipping on anything these days, so don't judge the court by me,'' he said.It's a coordination issue.''
While he and Graf don't often play together in doubles, they have had some success.
``We're undefeated against any other married couple,'' Agassi said.