Wimbledon off but stars vow to return
Clubs and players ready to scrap it out over pay cuts
ANDY MURRAY and Roger Federer vowed to return to Wimbledon next year after this summer’s tournament was cancelled yesterday.
The Swiss superstar admitted he was devastated by the inevitable decision to cancel the grasscourt Grand Slam for the first time since 1945.
There will now be no professional tennis until at least July 13. And the 134th Championship will now be staged from June 28 to July 11, 2021. Double champion Murray (left) will then be 34
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and will have passed five injury-hit years since he was last fully-fit at his home Slam in 2016.
The Scot, who has not played since suffering a groin injury last November, said: “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 the most important thing.
“Looking forward to getting back out on the grass next year already.”
Eight-time champion Federer will turn 40 in August next year. The Swiss superstar said: “There is no GIF for these things that I am feeling.
“I can’t wait to come back next year. It only makes us appreciate our sport even more during these times.”
AELTCC chairman Ian Hewitt said: “This is a decision that we have not taken lightly and we have done so with the highest regard for public health.
“It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough consideration, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is the right decision to cancel this year’s Championships.
“Instead, we will concentrate on how we can use Wimbledon’s resources to help those in our local communities and beyond.”