Christopher BarrettThe All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is preparing to stage a grass court tennis competition in New York’s Central Park.
The Wimbledon Court Invitational will take place on a pop-up grass tennis court laid on the Wollman Rink in Central Park from 26-29 June.
The tournament will see tennis legends take to the court in a friendly exhibition match over the four days.
Sponsored by Barclays, the event will also see huge screens show ESPN’s live coverage of The Wimbledon Championships.
Tennis fans will be given the opportunity to apply for free tickets to watch The Wimbledon Court Invitational and for a chance to play on the grass court.
It will be the first time the Wollman Rink has been transformed into a temporary grass tennis court, which will be installed and maintained by Wimbledon’s groundstaff.
AELTC marketing and commercial director Usama Al-Qassab said, “We are delighted to bring Wimbledon to the US for a fifth successive year, giving New York’s devoted tennis fans a flavour of Wimbledon. Whether they are watching the unique exhibition matches we have planned, enjoying the rare opportunity to play on a Wimbledon grass court, coming to New York for the first time ever, or tasting some of Wimbledon’s traditional food and drink, our four‑day event will bring the celebration of ‘tennis in an English garden’ to New York’s iconic Central Park.”