French Open: "A few days delay" likely
As a result of the nationwide lockdown in France, this year's French Open could be postponed by a few days. The French government has already discussed a "delay of a few days" with the organizers of the Grand Slam tournament, as the Ministry of Sports announced to the AFP news agency on Tuesday.
by SID / red
last edit: Apr 06, 2021, 07:30 pm
So far, the classic clay court will take place from May 23rd to June 6th, the start of the qualification is scheduled a week in advance. The initially four-week lockdown is scheduled to end in early May, i.e. before the tournament starts.
The admission of viewers was therefore already an issue in the discussions between the ministry and those responsible at Roland Garros. Last year, the French Open had been postponed by four months to September. At that time, only 1,000 viewers per day were allowed on the system in Paris.
Effects on the German tournaments
Most recently, the president of the French tennis association FFT, Gilles Moretton, was confident that the tournament can take place despite the ongoing corona crisis. However, he wants to keep many options open when it comes to viewer admission. "I do not dare to think of full utilization. But we can also start behind closed doors and then increase to a level that is below 100 percent," said the 63-year-old.
The new restrictions in France have been in effect since Saturday night. As of Tuesday, the seven-day incidence in the country was over 400.
A possible postponement of the second major of the year would of course also have an impact on the entire tournament landscape - especially those in Germany. In the week after the French Open, the events in Bad Homburg and Berlin (for women) and Stuttgart and Halle / Wetsfalen are planned. The organizers of these tournaments should be smoking their heads by now at the latest.