Wimbledon and rain....
 

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Wimbledon and rain..... roof content

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F1 take rain radar systems around the world (presumably) so they have forewarning of when it's going to rain.

So, at Wimbledon, why do they wait until it's started raining before they rush around closing the roof?

Even when they've closed the roof they just sit around waiting for the grass to dry off in a windless environment rather than getting a few people armed with blowers onto the court to speed up the process.

Seems pretty poor planning given its a fairly frequent occurrence.

🤷🏻‍♂️


 
Posted : 08/07/2023 8:09 pm
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I'm no expert but I imagine they want to play outside à much as possible, it changes the way the ball bounces, blowers are well noisy


 
Posted : 08/07/2023 8:11 pm
 joat
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I don't think it's the rain as much as the condensation due to humidity. The air conditioning needs time to dry out the arena. I might be misremembering this, but I think this is why there's a delay.


 
Posted : 08/07/2023 8:45 pm
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If they were serious like we were in PE back in the 90s they would just play on.

Don't see footballers, rugbyers, golfers or even for  cyclists stopping for rain.

#softies


 
Posted : 08/07/2023 8:52 pm
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If they were serious like we were in PE back in the 90s they would just play on.

Aye and with no tops on.


 
Posted : 08/07/2023 10:39 pm
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I caught something on the news saying 20mins to close the roof and then 30mims for the AC to get the humidity etc right.

But yeh, acting in advance must help if there is that level of knowledge about when it is going to rain actually where you are.

At school we had 'double sided' rugby tops for different teams outside (footy & rugby) but inside team games one team would be skins, and the nightmare or communal showers as a developing (or not) teenager. I assume neither happens anymore 🤣


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 10:07 am
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As others have said it’s to do with getting the humidity right once the roof is shut


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 11:10 am
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Would it not be quicker for the players to just change to a 'slippery conditions' pair of trainers?


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 12:54 pm
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Would it not be quicker for the players to just change to a ‘slippery conditions’ pair of trainers?

mid ralley, re-shod by a crack team of cobblers


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 1:06 pm
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As others have said it’s to do with getting the humidity right once the roof is shut

Maybe*, but yesterday there was a lady who kept wiping the grass to see if it was dry enough to play on and that seemed to be the defining point at to when play could restart - this was also pointed out by the commentators.

* You have no control over the humidity normally (and that never affects play) so why should it matter when they close the roof?


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 1:58 pm
 joat
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You have no control over the humidity normally (and that never affects play) so why should it matter when they close the roof?

Maybe not, but as soon as you shut the roof you'll have a couple of thousand people breathing out moisture with no way to balance with the normal atmosphere.


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 2:15 pm
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Yes the wealthy must be perfectly balanced with the atmosphere otherwise bad things may happen.


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 2:35 pm
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Maybe not, but as soon as you shut the roof you’ll have a couple of thousand people breathing out moisture with no way to balance with the normal atmosphere.

See also any large indoor venue including marquee's without an artificial ventilation system - doesn't seem to bother them!

Anyway, my point really was that I was expecting a little more forethought rather than just rushing to close up when the rain came!


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 2:44 pm
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My Mrs thinks they leave it open as they're an outdoor tournament. They slide around a lot so I imagine dewy grass would increase the injury risk to players and ballboys/girls.


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 5:00 pm
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Because it causes some artificial drama? Something for the spectators and media to talk about.


 
Posted : 09/07/2023 5:31 pm
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 LI caught something on the news saying 20mins to close the roof and then 30mims for the AC to get the humidity etc right.

Well they've just closed the roof and play has started again within 15 minutes - so the AC issue seems not to be a thing.

🤷🏻‍♂️


 
Posted : 10/07/2023 8:38 pm

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