Wimbledon organisers will be forced to pay out more than £1 million (about R7 million) to spectators who endured a rain-hit day at the All England Club on Saturday. Fans on Centre Court only saw 57 minutes of action and are entitled to a full refund on their ticket.

Wimbledon organisers will be forced to pay out more than £1 million (about R7 million) to spectators who endured a rain-hit day at the All England Club on Saturday. Fans on Centre Court only saw 57 minutes of action and are entitled to a full refund on their ticket.

If Amelie Mauresmo's win over Mara Santangelo had lasted three minutes longer, organisers would have saved more than £500 000 (R3,5 million).

Court One spectators can claim a half refund after seeing 74 minutes of play. Saturday saw the worst weather of the championships so far with play starting almost two hours later than scheduled at 2.55pm. And after Mauresmo and Maria Sharapova completed their matches, the rain arrived again with play finally abandoned at 6.50pm.

"We all share the disappointment and frustration at today's outcome and thank everyone for their patience and good humour in the face of the trying circumstances," said All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie. "Although I am sure it will not compensate for the disappointment caused, I can confirm that the appropriate refund will be paid to the original purchaser." - BBC