Roland Garros retractable roof to be ready in 2011

PARIS -- The French Tennis Federation has chosen the architect for a new retractable roof over the Roland Garros center court, which will be ready in 2011 to prevent any rain delays at the French Open.

The new roof at Roland Garros will cover the center court and those planned at an extension of the competitive courts not far away from the main stadium.

The federation unanimously chose Marc Mimram as the architect for the project in a vote Wednesday. Mimram is well known as the designer of the overpass that connects France and Germany across the Rhine River in Strasbourg.

Wimbledon is using a retractable roof on its center court for the first time this year.