French Open faces opening delay after COVID-19 surge

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The 2021 French Open grand slam tennis tournament will be moved to a different date after the French Tennis Federation’s confirmation following another COVID-19 spike.

Roland-Garros organizers are looking at May 30 as the most ideal date to start the clay-court tennis tourney but the schedule will post conflict to other grand slam competitions if pushed through.

“Both the ATP and WTA are working in consultation with all parties impacted by the postponement to optimize the calendar for players, tournaments, and fans, in the lead up to and following Roland-Garros,” the WTA and ATP said in a joint statement.

The preparatory grass tournaments will begin on June 7 for both the ATP and WTA calendars. Tourney organizers are worried since the dates will pose a conflict considering that the expected date for the French Open to finish will be on June 13.

However, French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moreton said that they are firm with their decision and already consulted the public authorities, the governing bodies of international tennis, and its partners and broadcasters.

‘It will give the health situation more time to improve and should optimize our chances of welcoming spectators at Roland-Garros,’ said the French Tennis Federation.

France recently was placed under a nationwide lockdown after President Emmanuel Macron’s decision and is planning to re-open the county around end of May depending on how they contain the virus.