Results tagged “roof” from NBC Sports - Home

We've still got a couple hours before the first men's semifinal, but it's looking like we could have some tennis under the roof today. After an improbable run where 10 of 11 days were bright sunshine and hot temperatures, it finally feels like we're at Wimbledon. Rained overnight, now it's overcast with the chance of more showers.

In the past, this would be awful news, for both the people wanting to see tennis, and for us, who dread the thought of extending the production into Monday. But now we're guaranteed two semis, and the possibility of the roof and the lights to give it feel like a night match would only add to the inevitable buzz in the crowd today.

Roger Federer and Tommy Haas go at it in the opener. Haas played Feds tough at the French Open and he broke Novak Djokovic's will in the quarters (which isn't tough to do, but still). Knocking off Federer might be out of the question, but it's not out of the question that he could make him sweat a bit. That's good for everyone because then we get to see Federer pull out ungodly shots and show some fire.

But the main event is the battle of the guys who still haven't ditched the 4th grade pet name, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray. Besides his coach, Brooklyn Decker, and a couple of American tourists, everyone on the grounds will be rooting for Murray. Now these are tennis fans so they won't necessarily be rooting against and taunting Roddick. It's just blatantly clear who they'll be pulling for. A few of us here still think it's a bit odd that Murray is treated like hometown royalty even though he's Scottish, but the crowd adds to the drama so no real reason to complain.

Check back for more updates later on. Enjoy your Manny Returns Day.

-Matt Casey

Just started raining here at Wimbledon, and the Safina-Mauresmo match is in a delay. As soon as the tarp was brought out, the fans went nuts, presumably hoping for the roof to be closed for the first time.

After a couple minutes of contemplating, it looks like they'll get their wish. It takes 8 minutes to close, and then another 15-20 for an airflow system to suck all the moisture out of the air before they can resume play.

It's 4:40 right now. We'll see when they start it up again. Stay tuned.

UPDATE - 4:47: Roof just closed and people cheered even louder. Tarp is off. Now they're on the clock for the airflow.

UPDATE - 4:49: Turn on NBC right now. Airing a feature about the roof cut by Matt Marvin in a couple minutes.

UPDATE - 4:57: The players are still in the training room. Only a matter of time before the fans start doing the wave. Kill me.

UPDATE - 5:01: Word is the players will be out in 9 minutes, at 5:10. Or 10 past, as they say here.

UPDATE - 5:02: BBC just showed about 5 different fans taking a nap. I guess staring at an empty court for 20 minutes would be a bit boring.

UPDATE - 5:07: Line judges are making their way back.

UPDATE - 5:12: Mauresmo and Safina are back on the court. Of course, the tarps are off all the side courts and the rain has stopped.

UPDATE - 5:19: Play resumes. Nearly a 40 minute delay. We'll let you know what they do for the rest of the day, including the Murray match. Would assume they keep it closed the rest of the day.

-Matt Casey