Wimbledon is to be put back a week in the calendar, starting in 2015.
The decision will mean there will be a three-week gap between the French Open and Wimbledon. Currently there is just a two-week period between the two grand slam tournaments.
Long discussed but until now never implemented, the move will create a longer grasscourt season and require a revamping of other aspects of the tennis calendar.
Announcing the decision, Philip Brook, chairman of the All England Club, said: "The best interests of tennis will be served by allowing the players more time to recuperate and to adjust from the clay of Roland Garros to the grass at Wimbledon.
"All our research indicates that there is widespread support within the game for extending the gap between the French Open and Wimbledon and, importantly, we think most players will welcome the prospect of a longer grasscourt season and spending more time on the softer surface of grass.
"In making this change from 2015 we recognise that there will be some important consequences for the overall tennis calendar and enough time needs to be given to allow us all to plan accordingly.
"In anticipation of the work required, I would like to thank our colleagues throughout the game for their enthusiasm and support for the vision of a tennis calendar that will better suit the needs of the modern-day sport."
Wimbledon 2015 will run from June 29 to July 12.
