Tim Henman's epic semi-final against Goran Ivanisevic has been dragged out over three days because of the indifferent weather while the women's final has been delayed until Sunday.

The men's final will also start on the third Monday for the first time in Wimbledon history.

But All England Club chairman Tim Phillips said the effect a roof would have on the grass is proving to be a major stumbling block.

"Physically you can build a roof. The issue is not whether structurally you can put one up." he said.

"The real issue is, if you put one up what does that micro-climate create in the way of dew on the playing surface?

"We've got top athletes who are trying to twist and turn on the grass.

"We are also concerned about the way the grass grows. We are doing tests on this, we've commissioned quite a lot of testing in the States.

"Until such time as we get total satisfaction that the micro-climate enclosed, that is being created, is going to be suitable for championship play, we wouldn't consider it."

A roof has already been installed on two showcourts for the Australian Open at Melbourne Park while, in the same city, the Lions have just played under a closed roof at the 50,000 capacity Colonial Stadium.

"I think there are a range of considerations, one of which is the 'one-court' tournament issue," Phillips added.

"This is an outdoor event. Equally we are conscious that we have a lot of customer groupings here who, for instance today, are inconvenienced.

"We owe it to them to work our way totally through the package and see in our best judgement is it something that we should consider."