WIMBLEDON BOSSES HAIL NADAL

Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal has been acclaimed for his support of the world's top tennis tournament.

The world number one will pick up �850,000, an increase of �100,000 on last year, if he successfully defends his crown in July and All England club chairman Tim Phillips insists he would be worth every penny.

Phillips believes Nadal has put to shame the players who specialise on clay but dodge the grass court season and Wimbledon, in particular, each year.

Phillips said: "It reflects enormous credit on Rafa. One or two others have tended to cop out. They have got disproportionate points on clay and regarded grass as an inconvenience.

"He's shown if you can play on clay you can play on anything. I really take my hat off to him. The game at the moment is blessed with some of the ambassadors it has."

The Wimbledon club chairman also denied there were any plans to rip up the famous grass to fall in line with other Grand Slam surfaces, despite the new retractable roof being used for the first time this year.

Nor are there plans to hold concerts or other events on Centre Court, something which in part has been to blame for the problems with the Wembley pitch.

The fabric and steel concertina roof was unveiled in the closed position for the first time on Tuesday, revealing a light and airy arena.

Phillips said: "The game is lawn tennis. It was invented as lawn tennis. We have got the inclination, the time and the resource to prepare the grass properly.

"In this day and age when players are complaining about the wear and tear of hard courts and there are already a load of tournaments on clay it is important to continue to remember our heritage and support grass."

Phillips also defended the hike in prize money which, despite the global recession, also sees the women's singles champion pick up �850,000 and the total pot increase by 6.2% to �12.55million, with the biggest increases of 13.3% going to those who reach the last eight. Even first round singles losers, however, take home �10,750.

Phillips said: "It is the name players who drive interest in Wimbledon and in tennis.

"We have to be mindful that this time last year the exchange rate was two dollars to the pound and now it is under 1.5 to the pound."

Tennis fans, however, seem undeterred. Applications for Wimbledon's public ballot are up 20% on last year, while all 15,000 tickets sold out within five minutes for the May 17 test event when the roof will be closed and air-conditioning tested in a mini-tournament, which will be screened on BBC2, involving Tim Henman, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and Kim Clijsters.

Entertainment will also be provided, in what is being billed as 'A Centre Court Celebration' event, by Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, Faryl Smith, the teenage star of Britain's Got Talent, and classic boy band Blake.