CONFIRMED: French Open 2021 Gets Postponed, Closes the Gap by 2 Weeks to Wimbledon

A successful start of the clay-court swing laid no doubt that the 2021 season will run its course as planned. But unfortunately, there seems to be a minor bump in the road to French Open 2021 this year.

According to L’Equipe, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) has postponed Roland Garros 2021 a week ahead of their before set schedule. It means that the clay-court finale will now play from May 30 to June 13 instead of May 23 to June 6.

This hold-up is formulated for organizers to get more time to get fans inside the Roland Garros stadium. However, it will also disrupt the start of the grass-court season in consequence.

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French Open 2021 nears Wimbledon with postponement

Last year, the French Open got postponed for four months due to the pandemic outbreak. Although the situation has improved significantly from 2020, the virus spread is still active. And that is why it is difficult to get authorization from Governments to allow fans in a tournament.

But the organisers believe that a seven-day push back will provide them enough time to get the fans inside. Recently, the French Open boss, Gilles Moretton, also said that he ‘dare not imagine’ on the event’s cancellation worries amid new lockdown policies.

Consequently, the Stuttgart (ATP), ‘s-Hertogenbosch (ATP and WTA) and Nottingham (WTA) tournaments, which were scheduled a week after Roland Garros, would be financially compensated.

Moreover, the French Open organisers could not afford the idea of the September/October postponement as last year. With this plan, the Asian swing of the WTA is also safe.

However, the players will receive only a two-week time to prepare for the next Grand Slam, Wimbledon. Thus, it might take a toll on their performances.

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Which are the other clay events leading up to the French finale?

The first big tournament of the clay-court season, the Monte-Carlo Masters, will begin on April 11 2021. Following that, events in Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome will take place, leading up to Paris.

Notably, as a Grand Slam tournament, the French Open carries a massive value for all the players. Thus, despite the delay, players would be eager to participate, aiming to become the clay champions.

Spanish Rafael Nadal and Polish Iga Swiatek will defend their title in Roland Garros this year. Who do you think will win the French Open 2021?

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