Wimbledon announced a 40 percent increase in prize money for this year's championships on Tuesday, making it the most lucrative tournament in tennis.

The winners of the men's and women's singles will pocket 1.6 million pounds ($2.44 million), a 39 percent rise on the 1.1 million pounds they received in 2012.

Roof for No 1 Court

The championship’s Number One Court will have a retractable roof by 2019, the All England Club said on Tuesday.

Wimbledon broke with tradition by installing a roof on Centre Court in 2009 so play can continue even during the often fickle British summer weather.

Chairman Philip Brook told a news conference the design process would begin shortly, taking two years to complete before a three-year construction process. – Reuters