They were queuing in the rain at Wimbledon on Monday to see Maria Sharapova's [Images] pulsating heart.

Sadly, with play halted, fans had to make do with The Matrix version of the 2004 women's champion.

With the skies opening over London [Images] after a summer of drought, the only entertainment on offer was the revamped Wimbledon tennis museum. It was playing to packed houses.

One of the most startling exhibits is a 3D cinema room that, with the help of five digital cameras, takes the viewer right into the heart of the Centre Court.

Fans can witnesss the stresses and strains put on the young Russian as she negotiated her first-round victory last year over Spaniard Nuria Llagostera Vives.

The action is frozen after each point, the effect scientifically measured on her heart, racket, ball and even her tennis shoes.

Sharapova was, herself, fascinated by the exhibit that got so up close and personal.

"Usually museums could be a little bit boring but that was one I actually didn't want to leave," she said after visiting the museum last week before the opening of Wimbledon 2006.  

"It's just so exciting to see the whole tradition of this event and how it started. And the fact that, you know, you've held that plate before, it's pretty amazing."

In true British tradition, fans were queuing in orderly fashion outside the museum in pouring rain, waiting to live the tournament on screen.

"There is a huge sense of being right there," said museum director Honor Godfrey, reflecting on the Sharapova screening, rivalled as top attraction only by a life-size apparition of John McEnroe in the Wimbledon dressing room.

"The Sharapova film uses the same sort of technique as the Hollywood film The Matrix," she told Reuters.

"We are really packing them in. We know we are a wet weather attraction," she said.

"This really does give you the impression you are right there on Centre Court. "Wow" -- that is the reaction from people. They honestly think they are standing right beside the line judge. You can see how wrapped up in the game the player is."