ATP Hall 2020 canceled: Roger Federer is already looking forward to 2021
The cancellation of the classic lawn in Wimbledon was accompanied by the fact that the NOVENTI Open in Halle will not take place this year either . In a first reaction, Roger Federer confirmed that he would still be seen on the court in 2021.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Apr 03, 2020, 12:48 pm
Roger Federer and the ATP event in Halle - that fits together. The Swiss competed in the German lawn tournament 17 times, ten times with the trophy in his luggage. The 20-time Grand Slam champion played 75 games during this time in the city in Westphalia, only seven of which the "Maestro" had to give up. Accordingly, it is Roger Federer, who is the big star in Halle every year, the man who pulls the crowds into the OWL Arena.
In 2020, however, there will be no rush. With the cancellation of the Grand Slam in Wimbledon, it was also announced that the ATP 500 event in Halle could not take place this year due to COVID-19. "It is an unfortunate step. But against the background of the current situation there is no alternative," said tournament director Ralf Weber in a first reaction. Weber also spoke of a shock message in "Kasi live" on tennisnetnews on Instagram in recent weeks but would have announced: "It was only a matter of time before the lawn season was canceled."
It was also unexpected for the tournament director from Halle that some lawn tournaments have not yet canceled, but continue to check whether it could not be held at another date. "We were somewhat surprised that Stuttgart and Berlin said that the tournament was not maybe to play at a later date in the year, "Weber said on tennisnetnews. "But I think that will be unrealistic," said Weber.
No end of career in sight?
But in addition to the bad news that there will be no top tennis in Halle in 2020, the organizers of the most generous German lawn tournament have quite positive news. Because Roger Federer also made a statement about this year's cancellation - and gave a provisional answer to the question of how long he would still play: "We are going through difficult times, but we will emerge from it strengthened. I am already happy today about my return to Halle next year. Stay healthy! "said the Swiss. So it looks good that Roger Federer's 18th appearance in Westphalia is only postponed - and not canceled.
The ten-time Halle winner confirms the words of the President of Swiss Tennis, René Stammbach. After the postponement of the Olympic Games to 2021, he said that the flagship of Swiss tennis would start at the start despite the postponement in Tokyo: "We will do everything we can to ensure that he does it," says Stammbach. After all, Roger Federer would have undergone the knee surgery "not for nothing or for hiking".