Roland Garros faces delay of ‘a few days’
PARIS: The French government has discussed a possible “delay of a few days” of this year’s French Open with the event organisers, the sports ministry told AFP on Tuesday.
Discussions between the ministry and Roland Garros officials also included how the tournament might be able to accommodate fans who were largely locked out of the delayed 2020 edition. This year’s event is due to take place between May 23 and June 6, with qualification rounds starting earlier.
“Discussions are underway with the organisers on the methods used, in particular for the reception of the public,” the ministry spokeswoman told AFP.
“A delay of a few days is under discussion,” she added.
At the end of March, Gilles Moretton, the new president of the French Tennis Federation (FFT), had indicated that he was working on almost all the scenarios.
He said the only ones he “dared not” consider were the extremes — a 100 percent spectator level and outright cancellation.
“At the moment, we are on track, the tournament is on the scheduled date,” he said.
“But if we go into total lockdown for two months, we will obviously need to take measures — the worst being the outright cancellation, but I dare not imagine that.”
Coronavirus restrictions were tightened across France last Wednesday although all professional sport is carrying on albeit behind closed doors. President Emmanuel Macron has expressed a wish to re-open cinemas, museums and theatres in mid-May.
Last year Roland Garros was delayed by four months and held in September and October instead of its longstanding May-June slot. Crowds were limited to just 1,000 spectators each day.
FEDERER SET FOR CLAY RETURN
Roger Federer is set to play his first match on clay in almost two years at next month’s Madrid Open, after he was confirmed for the event on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old was listed among the players to have registered for the May 2-9 tournament in the Spanish capital, with Novak Djokovic and Rafael also in the 56-man field.
Federer recently returned to action at the Qatar Open in Doha after 13 months out following two knee surgeries last year. He was beaten in his second match and promptly withdrew from Dubai.
The Swiss has won just one of his 20 majors on clay, taking the Roland Garros title in 2009. He has appeared at just one of the past five French Opens, reaching the semi-finals two years ago.
Federer hasn’t won a tour clay title since Istanbul in 2015; his most recent Masters triumph on the surface was Madrid in 2012.