Murray 'very sad' to see Wimbledon cancelled due to outbreak

Andy Murray and Roger Federer are among the top tennis stars to express sadness over the news that Wimbledon has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus crisis.

The tournament was scheduled to take place at the All England Club from June 29 to July 12 but will now be missing from the sporting calendar for the first time since World War II.

Murray reacted by posting on a message on his official Facebook page, which reflected the fact that the pre-Wimbledon Fever-tree Championships at Queen's Club has also been cancelled.

Murray wrote: "Very sad that the Fever-tree Championships and Wimbledon have been cancelled this year but with all that is going on in the world right now, everyone's health is definitely the most important thing!

"Looking forward to getting back on the grass next year already! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy #StayHomeSaveLives".

Eight-time Wimbledon men's champion Federer simply wrote "Devastated" following the news, while seven-times women's champion Serena Williams wrote: "I'm shooked (sic)".

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova released a statement on Twitter, expressing how much she will miss competing at the tournament.

"Definitely a tough one to take, with the announcement of the cancellation of Wimbledon this year," she said.

"Not only is it a special tournament to me, but it's a tournament that has been part of history for so long that it will leave a big hole in the calendar.

"I will miss playing on the beautiful grass and wearing my whites, BUT of course we know it will be back better than ever next year. And maybe we will all appreciate it even more! Stay safe and stay inside."

Meanwhile Coco Gauff, the teenager who stunned everyone by reaching the last 16 last year, tweeted: "I'm gonna miss playing in Wimbledon this year. Stay safe everyone, love you guys."

British number one Johanna Konta tweeted: "Here's to seeing you in 2021 @Wimbledon".

Organisers of the French Open, which had been due to begin on May 24, announced last month they would move their tournament to September, starting one week after the end of the US Open, which is due to begin on August 31.