Former World No.1 Martina Navratilova has expressed her delight at the approval of the expansion plans that will see
Wimbledon add more courts in the near future, although the project has been rejected by the local residents.
Proposed three years ago, the All England Club had presented a project that would see the grass court Grand Slam add 39 new courts, including an 8,000 seat stadium to relieve overcrowding and allow for more qualifying matches. The expansion has faced strong opposition from residents who are concerned about habitat destruction and loss of green space. However, the proposal was finally approved on September 27, 2024 and will increase the size of the Wimbledon grounds from 42 to 115 acres.
Navratilova pleased at decision
The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion took to social media to share her thoughts on the matter, stating the modifications would be better for everyone involved.
"I first started playing at Wimbledon in the 1970s - the AELTC always do everything with precision and perfection - this development will be no different and for me, it’s a win all around," wrote Navratilova on Twitter.
The project is expected to take eight years, with Wimbledon's qualifying matches set to be played on-site once construction is completed by 2030. Furthermore, it will contribute an annual $336 million to the British economy during this period.
