French Tennis Federation has announced revised dates for the Roland Garros 2020 Grand Slam.
Top tennis star will this year not get enough time for transition from the acrylic courts of Flushing Meadows in New York to the red clay of Rolland Garros in the French Capital.’
Shortly after the United State Tennis Association has announced that the New York governor has given a go ahead for the US Open, Rolland Garros also confirmed the September 21 to October 11 dates for the clay court Grand Slam
“The Roland Garros tournament will be played across three weeks,” the organiser French Tennis Association has announced after discussions with the international tennis authorities – the ATP, WTA and ITF.
The 124th edition of the last Grand Slam of the year was originally scheduled from May 24 to June 7 had to be postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. France, among the worst COVID-19-affected nations with 1.58 confirmed cases and nearly 30,000 deaths, has earlier announced the September 20 to October 4 dates for the tournament, which had to be deferred by one more week.
“We are delighted that our discussions with the various international tennis authorities have allowed us to extend the 2020 edition of the Roland-Garros tournament to three weeks. In the current, difficult climate, we are well aware that it is a privilege to be able to hold Roland-Garros in its usual format. Especially since the qualifying tournament will help to financially support a category of professional players who have been severely affected by this unprecedented crisis. The responsible decision we made on 17th March to postpone the Roland-Garros tournament – the climax of the clay season – until the autumn means that the 2020 clay season can be saved, providing the current situation continues to improve. The Roland-Garros tournament is thus fulfilling its historic role as the clay-court world championships. The tournament in autumn 2020 will be a new chapter in Roland-Garros’ ongoing history,” explained Bernard Giudicelli, President of the FFT.
The additional week is kept to start the qualifying event from September 21.
After the decision to postpone the Roland-Garros tournament to 20th September – 4th October and the ensuing discussions with the international tennis authorities, the new international schedule drawn up by the ATP, WTA and ITF has granted the Roland-Garros tournament an extra week of competition. This way, the qualifying rounds will be played from September 21 to 25 and will be followed by the main draw from September 27 to October 11, Rolland Garros has reported on the official tournament website.
The French Tennis Federation is now working with the French Government to prepare for the tournament and set out suitable measures that will ensure the health and safety of all people present. All options will be considered and are susceptible to change.
Also read: New York governor gives go ahead for US Open