London - Wimbledon might be hoping to lure Tim Henman back onto court at a May test event to mark the completion of a three-year project to put a roof over Centre Court.

The British player who was famously done in by rain on several occasions during his career at the All England Club - never emerging past the semi-finals on four heart-breaking attempts - might be part of the public trial, British press reports said.

The unspecified competition is to fall five weeks before the start of the championships on June 22.

The moveable roof's construction also added several thousand seats to the famed venue, raising capacity to 15,000.

"We need to get a capacity crowd of people in there to re-create the conditions we encounter during the championships," said a club spokesman of the May 17 event. An actual lineup of players is due to be announced later.

Remodelling of the showcase court began after the 2006 edition with construction halted for the Grand Slam fortnight during the summers of 2007 and 2008. The roof is due to be completed early next year. (dpa)