End of the corona measures in June? Wimbledon can hope
Can the 2021 Wimbledon tournament take place under “normal” circumstances? An announcement by the British government gives hope at least.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Feb 23, 2021, 02:05 pm
The All England Lawn Tennis Club has come up with three scenarios for the tournament in Wimbledon 2021: A radical solution entirely without fans, a middle ground with half-full ranks - and a tournament that does not differ from those before the corona pandemic in terms of spectator numbers. After the announcement by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that all corona measures are to be lifted in Great Britain at the end of June, at least option one - no fans - seems to be off the table. Which, as expected, was well received by the organizers.
Last year, a pandemic insurance covered the financial damage caused by the cancellation, but this insurance was not renewed this year. Just how expensive an event the size of a Grand Slam tournament can be under the special circumstances in 2021, Tennis Australia just had to experience: Tournament boss Craig Tiley put the losses at a mid-double-digit million figure.
However, Tennis Australia also had to manage (and pay) the mandatory two-week quarantine for players and their coaches, an expensive undertaking. In addition, a five-day quarantine was imposed on Melbourne during the tournament, after which, however, spectators were again allowed to enter the facility. They created a great atmosphere in the final phase of the first major of the season.