French Open postponement: US Open, Laver Cup shoot back
The fact that the French Tennis Federation (FFT) is going it alone to hold the French Open 2020 in September is not well understood by players as well as those responsible for tournaments.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 18, 2020, 08:52 am
The American tennis association couldn't help but pinpoint its French counterparts: Yes, due to the situation around the Corona virus, one would also consider all options with regard to the US Open 2020, possibly moving to a later one Meeting. In any case, such a decision would never be made alone, according to a statement by the USTA, but in close consultation with all parties involved. The French Association did not do exactly that, and the reactions were accordingly harsh.
A collision is in the offing that tennis has never seen in the recent past. Because while the French Open 2020 is scheduled to start on September 20, the ATP schedule includes the Laver Cup between September 25 and 27. Co-organized by USTA and Tennis Australia - all under the leadership of Roger Federer . And there is no joy, on the contrary: you want to stick to the appointment.
Federer, Nadal, Thiem - who plays where?
But what would that mean in concrete terms? Last year, Team Rafael Nadal , Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem , Stefanos Tsitsipas , Alexander Zverev and Fabio Fognini met in Geneva. Who would continue to serve in Boston in 2020, giving up the chance of winning a Grand Slam title? Pure speculation. The Major at Bois de Boulogne is not particularly close to Federer. Things are different with Nadal and Thiem, who have played in Roland Garros for the past two years. Especially since both players decided not to take part in the Laver Cup in Chicago in autumn 2018.
Thiem's father told the Kronen Zeitung that Dominic, like all other players, was surprised by the decision. At the moment, the clay court tournaments in Madrid and Rome are still on the ATP calendar. And also the event in Munich, which should start on April 27th. Which is becoming less and less likely from day to day.
quietplease11