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French Open plans with up to 20,000 spectators

Despite the rampant corona pandemic, the organizers of the French Open want to allow up to 20,000 spectators per day for the Grand Slam tournament. This was announced by the French Tennis Association (FFT) on Thursday. Up to 10,000 spectators should be able to attend the finals. This year's edition has been moved from September 27th to October 11th.

by SID / red
last edit: Jul 02, 2020, 04:56 pm

We won't see full ranks on Philippe-Chatrier for a while
© GEPA Pictures
We won't see full ranks on Philippe-Chatrier for a while

"The number of spectators allowed in the stadium will be 50 to 60 percent of the usual capacity, which allows us to follow the applicable distance rules," said a statement by the FFT. Tickets are expected to go on sale on July 9th.

The number of visitors could be increased if the Corona situation in France allows it. However, the association pointed out that the number of spectators could also be reduced if the situation required it. France had reacted very rigidly to the outbreak of the pandemic: in contrast to other European countries, the season of the highest football class, Ligue 1, was canceled approximately immediately - and not just as in Germany, England or Italy, only interrupted and without Spectators played to the end.

Chatrier with a new roof

The Roland Garros facility's central stadium, Court Philippe Chatrier, can accommodate 15,500 spectators. The initially planned 20,000 visitors relate to the entire facility with a total of 20 seats, in addition to "Chatrier" there are "Suzanne Lenglen" (10,068) and "Simonne Mathieu" (5000), two other large stadiums. After years of planning and construction work, the roof over the Chatrier was finally finished this spring.

Shortly before the French Open, the US Open is also to take place from August 31 to September 13 - but without spectators. The Wimbledon tournament was canceled early. The international tennis tours are currently paused and should return for the women on August 3rd in Palermo (clay court) and for the men on August 14th in Washington (hard court) after a good five-month corona break.

Rafael Nadal and Ashleigh Barty will start as defending champions in Paris. Nadal defeated Dominic Thiem in the final in 2019, Barty prevailed against Marketa Vondrousova.

by SID / red

Thursday
Jul 02, 2020, 05:00 pm
last edit: Jul 02, 2020, 04:56 pm