Tennis calendar set for fresh chaos as sport prepares for potential domino effect of French Open delay

The 2021 French Open has been rescheduled with the French Tennis Federation (FFT) confirming it has been pushed back by a week due to the latest coronavirus lockdown in the country.
However, the big question on everybody’s mind is: How will it affect the 2021 ATP Tour and WTA Tour calendars, especially the grass-court tournaments?
Having been rescheduled from its original May-June slot to September last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s French Open was expected to revert back to its usual time slot with May 23 to June 7 the dates pencilled in.
However, France went into a third lockdown on April 3 due to an increase in coronavirus cases and the government had requested the clay-court Grand Slam be pushed back by a week with qualifying starting on May 24.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has supported the move to run the main draw event from May 30 to June 13 as it will allow them to have more spectators.
The move, though, will have a ripple effect on the 2021 tennis calendars with the clay-court campaign already underway and Wimbledon due to start three weeks after the French Open.
Wimbledon to go ahead, but the famous queues and tents won’t be present this summer
From now until the May 23, there are several big tournaments taking place on the red dirt, including the Monte-Carlo Masters, Stuttgart Open, Madrid Open and Italian Open.
Will both the ATP and WTA clay-court calendars stay the same now that the French Open main draw starts a week later on May 30? What will happen to the extra week (May 23-29) that will be created by the tweak?
Most top players prefer not to compete the week before a Grand Slam and they will either be forced to enter the 250 events from May 17-23 or face the possibility of playing no tennis for two weeks.
What will happen to the grass-court season?
There are traditionally only three weeks between the French Open final and the start of Wimbledon. Well, traditionally since 2015.
On the ATP side, the Stuttgart Open, Rosmalen Grass Court Championships, Halle Open, Queen’s Club Championships, Eastbourne International and Mallorca Championships are warm-up events for The Championships.
As for the WTA, the Nottingham Open, Rosmalen Grass Court Championships, German Open, Birmingham Classic, Eastbourne International and Bad Homburg Open are the lead-up events to Wimbledon.
Will some of those events be re-organised and run in conjunction with other tournaments or will one or two lose their spots in the calendar as a result of the French Open being rescheduled?
As things stand, it is unlikely that Wimbledon – scheduled to run from June 28 – July 11 – will be rescheduled and the calendar is likely to remain the same after that the grass-court major.
For now though, it looks like there will only be a two-week gap between the French Open and Wimbledon, but quite a few blanks will need to be filled in by the powers that be as a result of the Roland Garros switch.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
No queue jumping from Ashleigh Barty as she confirms she got Covid-19 vaccine in the United States
Ashleigh Barty got her jab in the United States.
-
Tennis Features
Like mother like son as Stefanos Tsitsipas draws maternal inspiration for Monte-Carlo Masters success
Stefanos Tsitsipas follows in his mother’s footsteps in Monte-Carlo.
-
ATP Tour
Fabio Fognini vows to ‘investigate’ after officials’ ‘inexplicable’ decision to default him at Barcelona Open
Fabio Fognini protests his innocence.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty delivers ‘some good stuff’ en route to reaching quarter-final in Stuttgart
Ashleigh Barty hits her stride in Stuttgart.
-
ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal ups the aggression after slow start: ‘I’m a human and when I lost the first set I was worried’
Rafael Nadal overcomes early wobble to win in Barcelona.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic produces ‘pretty flawless’ display after getting ‘extra push’ from fans in Serbia
Smooth start for favourite Novak Djokovic at Serbia Open.
-
News
LTA’s Michael Bourne backs Britain to develop more world-class players
The performance director took up LTA role six months ago.
-
ATP Tour
WATCH: Fabio Fognini defaulted for verbally abusing official, smashes racket while storming off court
Fabio Fognini defaulted from Barcelona Open.
-
Davis Cup
Gerard Pique taken to task over revamped Davis Cup after European Super League tweet
Gerard Pique’s tweet met with questions.
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas hails ‘very big moment’ as he enjoys the winning feeling after Monte-Carlo Masters win
Stefanos Tsitsipas on a high after Monte-Carlo title.