As Wimbledon closed its new retractable roof over Centre Court for the first time in a drizzly southwest London on Sunday, the gap between the haves and have-nots grew wider.

Spectators and organisers hailed the new innovation, which will ensure Centre Court ticket holders will never again go away without seeing a match, but the rest of the soggy Wimbledon grounds provided a stark reminder of what it will be like for the majority of players and fans who walk through the All England Club gates next month.

Until this year, there was not much a player such as world number 100 Sergio Roitman would have in common with the likes of Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon. Except when it rained that is. No matter who you were, if it rained you were stuck in the locker room.

Not anymore. The chosen few lucky enough to be scheduled on 15,000 capacity-Centre Court will never again have to wonder exactly when the rain gods will let up. But since Wimbledon has another 18-odd courts that are used during the two-week long championships, the majority of players who make up the 128-strong singles draw will be left high and dry -- or in this case soaking wet -- when the heavens open.

Andre Agassi, who was given the honour of being one of the first players to test the conditions under the new multi-million dollar structure, dismissed suggestions that the roof would create a class divide.

"From a players perspective you could argue that those scheduled on centre court have a distinct advantage but you could also argue that those who have been scheduled on Centre Court have earned the right to have that opportunity," the American told reporters.

While the roof will ensure television viewers will also be guaranteed daily live action, Wimbledon organisers would do well to invest in a pair of earplugs as they will undoubtedly be on the receiving of some harsh criticism from those left out in the cold.

IN SYNC: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf during their mixed doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters under the newly completed Centre Court roof at Wimbledon in London May 17, 2009. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty

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Lindsay Davenport believes she has survived to the ripe old age of 32 in tennis because she took two lengthy breaks from the stamina-sappping demands of the globe-trotting sport.

At 25, Justine Henin was world number one and dominated the sport. Many years of Grand Slam triumphs beckoned. But then she abruptly announced her retirement last month. The fire had gone.

Like her Belgian compatriot Kim Clijsters who quit the year before at 23, Henin was suffering from the scourge that threatens to decimate the sport — burnout.

Former Wimbledon champion Davenport, who pulled out of the tournament on Thursday with a right knee injury, said “There was definitely some times in my career where I’ve been burnt out.”

What gave her longevity was stepping off the treadmill.

“I’ve had two really long breaks and they’ve both really helped me tremendously kind of get the fire back burning,” the American player said.

But, in a bittersweet press conference where she hinted at retirement but still longed to compete at the Beijing Olympics and the U.S. Open, she waxed most eloquent when talking to reporters about the progress of her baby son.

“He’s almost walking. He’s very vocal … Yeah, he’s a love,” Davenport told reporters.

The players feel at times they are stretched to the limit by the demands of a glamorous sport that takes them round and round the world on an interminable merry-go-round.

Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova, knocked out of Wimbledon in a second round shock, feels the WTA, the sport’s ruling body, is ignorant of the players’ needs.

“Your voice is never being heard,” she complained.

World number two Rafael Nadal put it even more bluntly: “The calendar is impossible.”

Both the ATP, which rules men’s tennis, and the WTA have made plans to shorten the season from 2009.

The WTA is trimming the current 25 Tier I and II events down to 20 and WTA vice-president communications Andrew Walker stressed to Reuters at Wimbledon: “The health and well being of players is the number one priority.”

Keeeping a wary eye on teenage prodigies who could fall by the wayside, he said: “The tour’s eligibility rules that allow for graduated doses (of playing time) for younger players has resulted in an increase in player careers by 24 percent and a reduction in burnout to less than one percent.”

But from fashion shoots to endless media interviews, the players will inevitably face continuing pressures as the sport and its big business sponsors battle to give tennis maximum exposure on the world stage.