Ashleigh Barty on French Open postponement: "Glad to play the tournament whenever it is planned"
The postponement of the French Open a week after the US Open caused an outcry in the tennis world. A solo attempt by the French tennis association was criticized by many, with Ashleigh Barty and Coco Gauff , two players now show understanding for the organizers of Roland Garros.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Mar 20, 2020, 01:30 pm
It was a message that exacerbated the already tense situation due to the currently rampant corona virus. The organizers of the French Open announced on Tuesday their - obviously unspoken - decision to postpone the Grand Slam in the heart of Paris until one week after the US Open. What followed was a wave of outrage and criticism. From "hard to do physically", "many questions raised" to "that's sick" - the reactions of the players were all negative in nature. It was a "selfish" decision, the organizers of the French Open played "power play", which was "pretty arrogant", Vasek Pospisil, a member of the player council, was outraged at the move.
The fact is that this change of dates to the current status would fall victim to the Laver Cup, which was launched by Roger Federer, in addition to five ATP and WTA tournaments. It's also a fact that defending both of his previous Grand Slam titles from the previous year would mean Rafael Nadal playing four Grand Slam weeks in five weeks. Which, as Bashiashvilli coach Jan de Witt said in the tennisnet interview, is hardly feasible for the top players. In addition, the two tournaments are held on different surfaces: a change that would be another challenge in the game-free week after the US Open.
So far, Naomi Osaka has reacted with the words "Excusez moi ???" most loudly via Twitter. Now defending champion "Ash" Barty and "Wunderkind" Coco Gauff also speak up - and strike quite different tones than those that have been heard so far. "I haven't spoken to Guy Forget, but I'm happy to play the tournament whenever it is planned," the Australian told the Australian Associated Press . Barty had had her only major triumph in Paris last year when she outclassed Marketa Vondrousova in the final.
"Better two Grand Slams in a row than none at all"
"I hope that I will have the chance to defend my title in September - I will take every opportunity to play there with both hands," continued the world rankings first. Nevertheless, there are far more important things at the moment and she will do everything that helps everyone to stay safe and healthy, Barty points out. And Coco Gauff, who has recently turned 16, seems to have come to terms with the French decision: "I prefer to play two Grand Slams in a row rather than no Grand Slams at all. It's kind of the answer for everyone. It's not ideal, but "Yes," said Coco Gauff via social media.
Nevertheless, the last word in this case does not seem to have been spoken. In a first reaction, USTA, the tennis association of the USA, condemned the French decision, but did not rule out the possibility of postponing the US Open to another date. The decision-makers now have plenty of time to find a suitable solution, as the ATP and WTA tours are interrupted until June 7th. The French tennis association is at best advised to show a little more willingness to talk now.
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