OFFICIAL: 2021 French Open delayed as Roland Garros gets green light from tennis governing bodies

French Open
French Open Roland Garros

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has confirmed that this year’s French Open has been postponed by one week as it is “the best solution” in terms of “maximising the chances that the tournament is played in front of the largest possible number of fans, while guaranteeing health and safety”.

After being rescheduled to September last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s French Open was pencilled in to run in its usual May 23 to June 7 slot.

However, on the back of France going into a third lockdown at the start of April, the government requested that Roland Garros be postponed by a week.

And the FFT and tennis’ governing bodies have approved the request with the qualifying event now starting on May 24 while the main draw tournament will run from May 30 to June 13.

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“In agreement with the French public authorities and the governing bodies of international tennis, the French Tennis Federation made the responsible decision to postpone the 2021 Roland-Garros tournament by one week,” a statement from Roland Garros read.

The statement added that the tweak to the dates is aimed “at maximising the chances – for the players and for the overall tennis community – that the tournament is played in front of the largest possible number of fans, while guaranteeing health and safety. Regarding both objectives, every week is important and can make a difference”.

Gilles Moretton, President of the FFT, confirmed that tennis authorities backed the move, but failed to reveal how it will impact the rest of the calendar.

“I am delighted that the discussions with the public authorities, the governing bodies of international tennis, our partners and broadcasters, and the ongoing work with the WTA and ATP, have made it possible for us to postpone the 2021 Roland-Garros tournament by a week. I thank them for this,” he said.

“It will give the health situation more time to improve and should optimise our chances of welcoming spectators at Roland-Garros, into our newly-transformed stadium that now covers more than 30 acres. For the fans, the players and the atmosphere, the presence of spectators is vital for our tournament, the spring’s most important international sporting event.”

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