London - Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf will face Kim Clijsters and Tim Henman on May 17 as Wimbledon prepares to raise the curtain on the long-awaited new moveable roof.

The All England club confirmed the all-star veteran lineup on Tuesday as the venue prepares for the first Championships in history to provide protection from the rain which has become an integral - if unwelcome- factor in the fortnight.

The event is designed to test the new roof and air management system with live tennis in front of a capacity crowd of 15,000.

The programme will feature a men's and women's singles singles plus a mixed doubles, all played in an abbreviated pro set format - the first to 8 games, with a tie-break at 8-8.

Henman, who retired a year and a half ago, never lifted a Wimbledon trophy, falling short in four semi-finals. Graf will be playing at Wimbledon for the first time since losing the 1999 final while Agassi originally had to be convinced to step back into action.

Belgium's Clijsters retired nearly two years ago, marrying and having a child. She reached two Wimbledon semi-finals.

"I have great memories of playing at Wimbledon and to be amongst the first to play under the new Centre Court roof is really exciting," said Agassi.

Added his wife Graf: ""There is no tennis venue more special to me than Centre Court at Wimbledon.

"It just doesn't get any better. I couldn't be more honoured to play there again with my husband Andre, and tennis greats Kim and Tim. It will mean so much to return to Wimbledon and see so many familiar places, relive so many wonderful memories."

Club boss Ian Ritchie said the addition of the multi-million dollar roof completes a Wimbledon cycle. "(This) will guarantee the play that today's audiences expect.

"Though this project has been a sophisticated engineering feat, we always wanted to capture the essence of Wimbledon's history and tradition in a new, modern Centre Court which itself would still be celebrated as the stage of some of the most memorable moments in tennis.

"With players of the calibre of Agassi, Graf, Clijsters and Henman this test event promises to be hugely entertaining."

The participants all had to be non-active players as the date falls smack in the middle of the clay-court Tour buildups to Roland Garros. (dpa)