Three scenarios for Wimbledon 2021 amid Covid-19 pandemic

Full capacity, a reduced capacity Championships, and behind closed doors ’— but no chance of a cancellation

The 2021 Wimbledon Championships could be held without spectators amid the Covid19 pandemic, the organisers of the grass court Grand Slam said on Friday.

The tournament in England was cancelled in 2020 for the first time since World War 2 due to the novel coronavirus, which has killed more than 43,000 people in the UK.

It was the only Grand Slam, however, to be cancelled in 2020 as the US Open in New York and the French Open in Paris were held in bio-secure environments after the Australian Open was held in normal circumstances at the beginning of the year.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), organisers of the tournament, said they were broadly planning for three different scenarios — a full capacity, reduced or “behind closed doors” Championships.

“Staging The Championships in 2021 is our number one priority and we are actively engaged in scenario planning to deliver on that priority, ” AELTC CEO Sally Bolton said in a statement.

The organisers would have learnt from the other Grand Slams and would also keep a close watch on the Australian Open, which is expected to be held in Melbourne in January.

Wimbledon had an insurance policy in place for the pandemic in 2020 but will not have similar cover in 2021 and another cancellation would have a major financial affect on the sport in UK.

The pandemic, which has killed more than a million people worldwide, will force London into a tighter Covid-19 lockdown from midnight on Friday with the death toll in the UK the highest in Europe.

The AELTC said former player Jamie Baker has been appointed as head of professional tennis and tournament director for the Wimbledon Championships, which will be held between June 28 to July 11 2021.