Tuesday May 14, 2024

Wimbledon 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

Published : 02 Apr 2020, 00:42

  DF-Xinhua Report
Simona Halep of Romania holds the trophy after winning the women's singles final match with Serena Williams of the United States at the 2019 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 13, 2019. File Photo Xinhua.

This year's Wimbledon has been cancelled due to the public health concerns related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the All England Club (AELTC) announced after an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

This year's Wimbledon competition was scheduled for June 29 to July 12. The cancellation was the first time in the tournament's history, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, since the second World War.

"This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen," AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt said.

"Following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year's Championships," he added.

The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021, the statement said.

Last month, another Grand Slam, the French Open, had decided to postpone this year's competition from May to September.