LONDON - Total prize money at Wimbledon this year will be nearly nine percent more than last year, with the men's and women's singles champions each winning £700    000 (about R9,9 million).

The overall fund for the 25 June-8 July tournament will be £11,2 million (about R158,5 million) - 8,7 percent up on last year's figure.

"No tennis tournament has ever offered higher prize money than Wimbledon in 2007," claimed Tim Phillips, chairman of organisers, the All England Club.

Equal rewards for men and women at Wimbledon were announced in February.

Subject to final testing, Hawk-eye technology will be used on Centre Court and Court One at this year's championships, with existing Cyclops equipment used on other courts.

Because of long-term rebuilding caused by the installation of a retractable roof on Centre Court, this year there will be no roof whatsoever on the showpiece court and all seats will be exposed to the elements.

There are also plans to build a new Court Two in time for the 2009 Championships. - BBC