£53m All England roof deal

Wimbledon tennis chiefs today revealed plans to raise at least £53million to help fund the proposed retractable roof on Centre Court by issuing 2,300 five-year debentures.

The bill for adding the roof to the Centre Court could be more than £100m and the All England Lawn Tennis Club are financing the entire cost through their own resources.

Wimbledon also announced that if Roger Federer, the reigning champion, retains the men's title he will become the first player to take home more than £600,000 from the championships.

Overall, prize money has risen by nearly five per cent for the championships, which start on 21 June, with the men's champion banking £602,500 and the ladies' winner £560,500.

The total prize money will be nearly £10m as the most famous tournament in the world continues its policy of a disparity between the amount of money earned by the men's and women's champions.

Tim Phillips, chairman of the All England club, said: "We are pleased to increase prize money above inflation to recognise the talent and commitment of these top players."

Wimbledon will make available up to 2,300 Centre Court debentures at £23,150 each for the five-year period between 2006 and 2010.

Phillips added: "There will be no public money involved at all."