Further suspension comes as a result of the continuing spread of coronavirus
Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since World War Two
(Photo via Shep McAllister on Unsplash)
The ATP and WTA Tours have announced the further suspension of all professional tennis until July 13 at the earliest with Wimbledon the latest victim of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Following the cancellation of the opening Masters 1000 events of the season in Indian Wells and Miami, it was announced that all tennis had been suspended through April 20 but as the seriousness of the current world health crisis became clearer this suspension was extended accordingly through June 7 effectively wiping out the tour’s European clay court swing.
But as the situation continues to worsen with many countries including Britain being placed on lockdown the amended suspension has been extended once more through till at least July 13. This decision coincided with the announcement that the 2020 Wimbledon Championships due to be held as normal at SW19, London between June 29 and July 12 had been officially cancelled for this year.
It is the first time that the Wimbledon championships will not have taken place since the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945. The cancellation, which had been expected for days, was announced via a statement released by the Chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club Ian Hewitt:
“This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen.”
Mr Hewitt was also quick to offer the services of the club in aiding those in need stating:
“It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of the Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year's Championships, and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon's resources to help those in our local communities and beyond.
“Our thoughts are with all those who have been and continue to be affected by these unprecedented times.”
Two of the tennis world’s most famous and most successful players had their own reactions to the news via social media:
With Wimbledon now officially off the 2020 calendar more questions are invariably going to be asked over the feasibility of tennis returning in 2020 with the current dates of the US Open and the controversially rearranged French Open still causing much debate.
All in all Wimbledon might be the first grand slam to officially fall foul of the ever-worsening Coronavirus pandemic but it is unlikely to be the last.
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