Roland Garros - Direct cancellation a bad idea
After the nationwide lockdown in France announced by President Emanuel Macron, the shaking of those responsible for the French Open begins again.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Apr 01, 2021, 02:58 pm
There was great excitement when the French Tennis Association decided early in 2020 to move the French Open to autumn. There was soon talk of boycott threats and the FFT going it alone. In the end, almost everyone came (with a few exceptions such as Naomi Osaka), with the men, of course, Rafael Nadal, and with the women, not of course, Iga Swiatek.
In the current season, the second major will be staged in Roland Garros from May 23rd. But there are many question marks hanging over this date, especially since a nationwide lockdown has been announced in France due to the increased number of corona cases.
The FFT checks all options
Gilles Morreton, a former professional on the ATP tour and recently the new president of the French association, is concerned about this. At the moment, the originally planned start date is assumed. "But if there is a general two-month lockdown, we will take the necessary measures - the worst would be a direct cancellation. I hardly dare to imagine."
At the last edition, up to 1,000 spectators were allowed to view the system on the Bois de Boulogne, and when the roof was closed, there was even something like a good atmosphere on the Court Philippe-Chatrier. "We are reviewing all options for Roland Garros 2021," Moretton continued. "There is the whole range. So almost, I cannot imagine 100 percent utilization." You are in constant contact with the players and watch how things develop.