Source:© AELTC, Wimbledon.com
The Championships 2011 may prove to be the domain of a Rafael Nadal triumph, a Kim Clijsters slice of history, the return of Roger Federer, or another rising star, but this year's Wimbledon will also herald the opening of a new Show Court at the Church Road grounds in the form of the new No.3 Court.
"We are delighted to welcome a fantastic facility in the new No.3 Court, giving us four great stadium courts to play tennis in, all with Hawk-Eye electronic line calling" commented Championships Referee Andrew Jarrett.
The 2,000-seater construction has been built on the site of the old Court 2, 'the graveyard of Champions', and is nestled to the south of the Players' balconies.
One of the final pieces in the jigsaw of the All England Club's Long Term Plan, launched in 1997, the new No.3 Court pairs up with the new No.2 Court - the former in the north-west of the Southern courts, the latter in the south-east of the Southern courts.
The design of the new No.3 Court is very similar to that of No.2 Court, opened by the Duke of Kent in 2009. An unfurling concrete flower bowl, No.3 Court is fitted with the new and improved padded green seats that feature on Centre Court and No.2 Court, and, with its high walls and enclosed setting, not to mention Hawk-Eye capabilities, is sure to provide an excellent atmosphere for both players and public.
"In fact, if you stand by Court 9, there is an optical illusion," explains Jarrett. "No.3 Court looks bigger than No.2 Court, even though No.2 Court is twice the size, 4,000 seats, because it is sunk into the ground."
There is of course another new court to be opened this summer, Court 4, which sits directly underneath the umbrella of No.3 Court. Like its bigger brother, Court 4 is in full view of both the Player Areas and also the Members balcony, making it another prime location for spectators.
No.3 Court will be officially opened by the Duke of Kent, President of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, ahead of the first scheduled match on Monday 20 June, the first day of The Championships. The Duke will perform the coin toss for the opening match, and unveil a commemorative plaque.
There are three other plaques situated around the Church Road Grounds, one on Centre Court commemorating the new roof, one on the new No.2 Court, and one at Court 18, celebrating the record-breaking 11 hour 5 minute match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010.