LONDON, June 26: Play will take place on the middle Sunday for only the third time in Wimbledon history because of rain disruption in the first week, organisers said on Saturday.

The middle Sunday is normally a rest day in the two-week grasscourt grand slam event but, as in 1991 and 1997, a 'People's Sunday' will take place with tickets distributed on a first-come-first serve basis.

"This has been a tough decision to make," said Chris Gorringe, chief executive of the All England Club. "But everyone with whom we have consulted has been most understanding and cooperative."

"Fortunately the forecast for Sunday is reasonably encouraging so we should be able to reduce the backlog of matches."

On Sunday morning, 11,000 unreserved tickets for Centre Court will go on sale for 35 pounds ($63.83) each, while 10,000 tickets will be available for number one court at 30 pounds.

There will also be 7,000 ground passes at 15 pounds each on sale, with the gates opening at 9 am local time and play starting on all courts two hours later.

"Obviously it's a huge inconvenience for people...we are encouraging people to come only if they live locally," Gorringe said.

Organisers have said all 22 singles matches on the order of play for Saturday that are uncompleted would be re-scheduled for Sunday.

Those who are successful in queuing for tickets will therefore be likely to get a chance to see British contender Tim Henman, men's and women's champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams as well as US Open champion Andy Roddick.

Henman also played in 1997 on the last "People's Sunday" and the enthusiasm of his supporters in the five-set thriller against Dutchman Paul Haarhuis was a marked contrast to the normally staid show court audiences.

The organisers aim to complete the third round on Sunday to put the championships back on course for its scheduled finish on Sunday, July 4.

Rain has interrupted play for much of the first week, with Wednesday's entire programme washed out.

Persistent drizzle also prevented play getting underway on Saturday, the sixth day of the championships.

On Friday, 96 matches were completed, the highest single-day total for six years, leaving a backlog of only six matches in the men's and women's singles.

However, more bad weather is forecast for Monday and with the third round still not completed, organisers made the decision to play on Sunday after liaising with the police and the local authorities.-Reuters