It was the day the new roof closed and Wimbledon threw tradition out of the window.

True, familiar cries of 'Come on Tim' inevitably rang out as Tim Henman joined Belgium's Kim Clijsters in a mixed doubles match against Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf in a celebration of a rain-free future on the world's most famous tennis court.

But there were also sights and sounds Centre Court had not seen in its 87-year history and probably never expected to.

Such as Agassi and Graf, sport's most famous married couple, indulging in passionate embraces between points.

Such as a 'Spiderman' worker crawling along the outside of the translucent roof, presumably making running repairs but who presented a ghostly silhouette to the spectators.

Such as Andy Murray turning up to admit he used to dress up in pink shorts and wear a baseball cap with a long blond pony tail attached to look like Agassi.

Such as Agassi announcing: "My wife's so much better at tennis than Tim's wife."

But the star of an entertaining afternoon undoubtedly was the roof, especially as two minutes after it had closed for its big test prior to Wimbledon which begins in five weeks, the rain fell from the SW19 skies as if someone had turned the dial on the bathroom shower.

In days gone by spectators would have scuttled outside to the Pimms tent. Not any more. In future play will go on, albeit with a 10-minute delay for the roof to close and a further 30 minutes for moisture levels on court to be given the all-clear.

Afterwards the players queued up to give their verdict on the retractable structure which makes the court look surprisingly large and airy.

"It was such a real treat to play in those conditions when it was so cold, miserable and wet outside," said Henman.

"I've had some great experiences but with 15,000 people in that enclosed space I'm intrigued to see what levels the atmosphere could go to."

The Agassi verdict was even more effusive.

"I don't think I've ever smiled so much on a tennis court," he said. "I was impressed with how solid it felt and the sound was magnificent. When you get two people out there who can really play then you'll get a titanic battle, the sort you've not seen yet."

And Graf, whose last match on Centre Court was 10 years ago?

"I've been so nervous. It was special. A real treat to be on court."

Even the watching Murray was impressed, if his verdict had something of a 'What's-all-the-fuss-about?' look attached.

"I'd not seen it before today," said Murray.

"It's beautiful. It looks really nice compared to most roofs."

And it does. The nine roof trusses are surprisingly unobtrusive, the fabric lets in lots of daylight, although there is one potential flaw in the structure as testified by two imprisoned pigeons.

An extra 1200 seats have been installed and the whole court has a refurbished feel which, although the All England Club refuse to talk figures, is estimated to have set them back around £100million.

Such a roof would have spared Henman and Agassi considerable heartache during their careers.

Most notably for Henman, who reached four Wimbledon semi-finals but whose best chance against Goran Ivanisevic was interrupted by rain just when it appeared he was bound for the final back in 2001.

Agassi's first-round match with Grant Connell in 1991, meanwhile, was scheduled for Monday but started on Thursday and did not finish until Saturday because of rain.

Days when good old Sir Cliff Richard gave his annual impromptu rendition of 'Summer Holiday.'

This time Cliff was sat redundant in the Royal Box, listening to Katherine Jenkins and Faryl Smith from 'Britain's Got Talent' as they sang 'Amazing Grace' as the roof closed and the players changed. All the Centre Court needs now is a British champion like the three in the Royal Box: Angela Barrett, who under her maiden name Mortimer, won the ladies' singles in 1961, Ann Jones who triumphed in 1969 and Virginia Wade, the last Briton to win a Grand Slam singles in the Queen's Jubilee year of 1977.

Over to Murray who clearly relished the idea of getting on court with the roof closed.

Murray said: "The atmosphere is always great here but with the roof closed it should be even better. It will be interesting to play a long five-setter under this one.

"Tomorrow is Fred Perry's 100th birthday so it would be special to win it this year but I'll try not to put too much pressure on myself."

For the record Henman and Clijsters beat Agassi and Graf 7-6 in the mixed doubles while Agassi beat Henman 6-4 in the singles, with Clijsters beating Graf 6-4.

At which point the crowd filed out and promptly reached for their umbrellas.