LONDON (AP) — A proposal by Wimbledon organizers to expand the site of the Grand Slam tournament with 39 new tennis courts has been given the green light by local authorities.
The All England Club's plans — which include a new 8,000-seat show court with a retractable roof — were approved Friday by the Greater London Authority despite protests by local residents.
The planned expansion in Wimbledon Park, which is adjacent to the All England Club, would allow Wimbledon's qualifying tournament to be held on site rather than at nearby Roehampton Community Sports Centre. But some locals have objected to the plans over concerns about the environmental impact.
Protesters assembled outside City Hall ahead of the hearing on Friday and a number spoke in the chamber during a morning session lasting more than three hours.
But Jules Pipe, London’s deputy mayor for planning, said "the proposed development would facilitate very significant benefits. I agree with my officers that these benefits clearly outweigh the harm.”
Debbie Jevans, the chair of the All England Club, promised that the project “will be delivered with a meticulous attention to detail and the utmost respect for both our neighbours and the environment.”
The All England Club says the benefits of the expansion will include a 23-acre public park where there used to be a private golf course, and a minimum of seven grass courts that will be open for community use.
“We look forward to working with all parties to bring this vision to life, delivering one of London’s greatest sporting transformations since the 2012 (Olympic) Games and securing Wimbledon’s future at the pinnacle of world sport,” Jevans said.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
FILE - An aerial view of All England Tennis Club on day seven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 8, 2019. (Thomas Lovelock/AELTC via AP, Pool, File)
PARIS (AP) — Bradley Barcola scored one goal in each half and Lee Kang-in added a third as Paris Saint-Germain beat Rennes 3-1 on Friday to extend its unbeaten run in the French league.
Barcola took a pass from Ousmane Dembélé after half an hour and steered a right-foot shot inside the far post. Lee got his third goal of the season to double the home side’s advantage 12 minutes into the second half and Barcola added his second with a simple tap in after 68 minutes. Arnaud Kalimuendo scored a consolation goal for Rennes from the penalty spot.
Rennes had a second goal chalked off by VAR with two minutes to end any hopes of a comeback.
Barcola fifth and sixth goals of the season take him to the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts, one clear of Marseille’s Mason Greenwood.
PSG has 16 points from its first six games. Marseille is also unbeaten and has 13 points from five games. The south coast club plays at Strasbourg on Sunday.
Rennes is in eighth place with seven points from six games.
Auxerre beat Brest 3-0 on Friday to grab its second league win of the season and put the brakes on the visitor’s recent run of form.
Brest was coming off two consecutive victories, including a 2-1 win over Sturm Graz in its first ever Champions League match.
But under the pouring rain in central France, Auxerre finally showed some of the form that won it promotion last year and staved off a fifth straight defeat in Ligue 1.
Elisha Owusu put the home side ahead with a left-foot shot after 26 minutes and captain Jubal doubled the lead from the penalty spot 11 minutes later. Hamed Junior Traorè, on loan from Bournemouth, then got his second goal in two games 14 minutes into the second half.
The result leaves both teams with six points from six matches.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
PSG's Bradley Barcola celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG's Achraf Hakimi, right, reacts after missing a chance to score during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Rennes' Hans Hateboer, right, duels for the ball with PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG's Senny Mayulu, center, duels for the ball with Rennes' Albert Gronbaek, left, and Rennes' Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG's Bradley Barcola, left, scores his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
