Tennis pundit explains why Wimbledon will make ‘sensible’ decision and cancel 2020 tournament

Wimbledon
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Tennis pundit Barry Cowan says the All England Club has been left with little option but to cancel Wimbledon this year as rescheduling the tournament would be a logistical nightmare.

The sport is on a hiatus and June 8, which marks the start of the grass-court season, has been pencilled in as a possible return date.

However, the powers that be have admitted that there are no guarantees that the tennis season will resume in June.

The All England Club has confirmed that they will hold an emergency board meeting this week to decide whether or not to hold The Championships this year, but German Tennis Federation vice-president Dirk Hordorff claims they have already decided to cancel the event.

Cowen says moving Wimbledon to a new time slot would be too difficult.

“Wimbledon have said they are not going to play behind closed doors. So that is out of the equation,” he told Sky Sports News.

“The time it takes to get Wimbledon ready, it is kind of a six-week time frame. Nobody is allowed on site so that is problematic.

“Then you have got the factor of the players and if the players are flying in from Africa, Asia, South America, I just don’t see it possible for the Championships to start at the beginning of July.

“Then comes the question of can they move it back a couple of weeks? They will still be in the same situation if you have it the end of July or beginning of August.

“Therefore it looks like on Wednesday it will be officially announced that Wimbledon will be cancelled for 2020 and we will have the Championships next year.

“It is really unfortunate for all concerned.”

Cowan added that the fact that the All England Club has insurance “against an act of God” means it is easier for them to take the cancel the tournament instead of causing further disruption to the calendar.

“Wimbledon have always looked to take the bigger picture,” he continued.

“They have been very smart because they have insured themselves against an act of God so if the Championships are cancelled they won’t financially be hit.

“I’m not sure if it’s necessarily the case with the French. I am not sure if they had that in place.

“That is why the French made the strange decision, and they have been criticised by everyone connected with the sport, they just changed their date without anyone knowing.

“Wimbledon are mindful of that. Tennis is unfortunately at the moment, too many parties are not joining together.

“I think if Wimbledon were to arrange their Championships in the middle of August, what does that do to the US Open and tournaments beyond that.

“It’s not just the two weeks. You have got Queen’s and the lead-up tournaments to get ready for the grass-court tournaments.

“Sensibly Wimbledon are going to make that decision by Wednesday.”

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