The tennis tour was halted in early March due to the novel coronavirus. Consequently, many tournaments including the Wimbledon Championships was canceled due to the global health crisis. However, the French Open was postponed from its original date in May to the last week of September.
It is still uncertain when the season will resume as the deadly virus continues to sweep through the world. However, the organizers of the French Open 2020 are confident to stage the event in September. The organizers are also optimistic that the spectators would be able to attend the tournament.
“The scenario is getting more and more optimistic. Let me give you an example: if the Government goes ahead with organizing municipal elections in June, I don’t see why we couldn’t put people in the stadium then,” Hughes Cavallin, the general treasurer of the French Tennis Federation told Tennis Majors.
“French Open benefits the whole city of Paris” – Hughes Cavallin
According to reports, the Roland Garros helped FFT earn 261 million euros last year. Hence, it might be a huge loss for the Federation if the tournament is canceled. Cavallin also suggested that it is a tough situation as one just doesn’t lose this much money without this having consequences.
Moreover, the new retractable roof on the Philippe Chatrier Court cost FFT 400 million euros. Hence, the FFT decided to take a loan from the Government during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cavallin further suggested that the loss of canceling the Roland Garros 2020 will not only limit till FFT but it will also be a huge loss for the entire city of Paris.
“It should also be noted that Roland Garros benefits the whole city of Paris and the local neighborhood to make money. The hotels, restaurants, and shops earn 270 million euros thanks to the tournament. Everything is tied together so we must continue to help. It’s at times like these that we all need to stand united,” he continued.
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The FFT is also not considering the option of holding the event in front of empty stands.
“Honestly, that’s not even a hypothesis we’re considering anymore. What we do envisage, however, is letting 25,000 people in, instead of 40,000. “We still want to put on a good tournament,” Cavallin concluded.
We hope that no more tournaments are canceled due to the coronavirus and the tour resumes soon under some restricted conditions.
