The new Wimbledon rain roof was brought into action again today — to give protection from the sun to minor VIPs enjoying a day out in the Royal Box.

The 1,000-ton retractable roof was moved just enough this afternoon to provide shade.

Three boxes of straw hats were also made available for guests including Bruce Forsyth, his wife Wilnelia, a former Miss World, as well as actor Michael Sheen, London's Lord Mayor Ian Luder, public relations guru Lord Bell and the Independent newspaper executive Simon Kelner.

Princess Michael of Kent and the Duchess of Gloucester were also in the box today, as well as All England Club chairman Tim Phillips.

The moving of the roof a few feet to protect the box will only add to consternation over the way Centre Court is playing this year.

Andy Murray has already criticised the roof for casting a large shadow over the court while making the grass beneath it “wet and slippery”.

In his first round match yesterday, a below-par Murray, the world No 3, lost his footing several times and mis-hit shots as the ball passed from bright sunlight into the shadows.

The opening and closing of the roof is the decision of referee Andrew Jarrett. A decision on whether to move it is made 45 minutes before play starts on Centre Court.

If an ongoing match is then suspended due to rain or bad light, covers are deployed and the roof closed so play can continue.

Nowhere among the All England Club's “protocol for use of poof” rules is there a section on when it can be used to block out the sun.

The £50 million roof was designed to allow play to continue even when the rain is pouring down. The public was not aware it would also be used to keep VIPs cool.

Murray was less than impressed after a battle to beat Robert Kendrick, a journeyman player. He said: “The problem with the roof is that even when it is open it juts out and creates a big shadow over a lot of the court. When I was playing a lot of the court was in darkness because of it. It seems to be worse later on when the sun is starting to go down which is what happened when I was playing. But what can they do about it?”

Wimbledon spokeswoman Sara Hames said: “It was totally effective. For the soaring temperatures on Centre Court it was essential. It was designed for rain and bad light but it's proved to have more than one use.”

All England Club spokesman Johnny Perkins added: “We don't believe the roof affects the grass. Because the aperture is wider the grass gets more sunlight and air than in the past.”

The Royal Box is at the southern end of the 15,000-seat stadium and receives the sun, when it shines, for most of the day. Temperatures above 30C are expected today.

Some fans were less impressed.

“If the sun gets too hot I'll just put a newspaper over my head,” said engineer Stephen Simpson, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. “I think maybe we should all be given straw hats, particularly as my wife and I have forked out £200 to be here. And some tea and cakes would be nice too.”

Yesterday saw another record attendance with 45,955 fans, an increase of more than 5,000 on last year.