Wimbledon still ‘on at present’ despite coronavirus outbreak fears

Wimbledon is still set to go ahead as planned despite the coronavirus outbreak after the UK government insisted that there is “no rationale” to postpone all sporting events.
The Indian Wells Masters became the first major tennis tournament to fell victim to COVID-19 as the event, which was due to start on March 11, was postponed on Sunday.
Officials, though, are still hopeful that the joint ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier Mandatory tournament could be rescheduled to later this year while the Miami Open is set to continue as schedule.
The French Open is the next Grand Slam on the tennis calendar with the red-dirt tournament set to start May 24 and organisers insisted over the weekend that they have no “postponement or cancellation” plans at this stage.
Italy has already gone on full lockdown that has seen all sporting events and festivals cancelled until at least April 3, which puts a red mark over the Italian Open – due to start on May 11.
Wimbledon and all the other grass-court tournaments in the UK, including Fever-Tree Championships at Queen’s Club, are still on as things stand after Britain’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport met with sports governing bodies on Monday to discuss the issue.
“Based upon the current scientific advice from the Government’s medical experts there is no rationale to close or cancel sporting events as things stand,” the DCMS said.
“We will remain in regular dialogue with sports governing bodies and broadcasters, ensuring they are in receipt of the most up to date guidance from the health authorities.”
inews.co.uk reports that “Wimbledon remains ‘on’ at present but that the iconic tennis tournament could be cancelled by government decree. In that instance, it is understood that insurance policies already in place would allow the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, who run the tournament, to refund the huge numbers of tickets that are sold in advance”.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
News
Andy Murray set for Rotterdam second-round clash with world No 8 Andrey Rublev
Murray and Rublev’s only other meeting was in 2017.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic unlikely to return to action before clay season as there ‘is no need to take any risks’
Novak Djokovic unlikely to feature at the Miami Open.
-
Tennis Top 10
Top 10 oldest No 1 ATP players: Novak Djokovic now the second oldest No 1, but will he catch Roger Federer?
Roger Federer currently holds the record.
-
Australian Open
Goran Ivanisevic slams media for ‘thrashing’ Novak Djokovic, rating 2021 Australian Open as his ‘sweetest’
Goran Ivanisevic takes aim at the media.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty pulls out of Dubai tournament, but hopes to defend Miami Open title
Ashleigh Barty won’t be travelling to the Middle East.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer to skip Miami Open as he opts to ‘slowly work his way back’ following injury
Roger Federer won’t feature at the Miami Open.
-
ATP Tour
‘I’m playing for my career’ – Honest Andy Murray admits retirement question is lingering
Andy Murray fought back to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam.
-
News
Andy Murray hits back to win first round match against Robin Haase in Rotterdam
The former world No 1 finished strongly.
-
ATP Tour
Battling Andy Murray shows his old fighting spirit to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam
Andy Murray fought back from a set down.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev closing in on career milestone as he returns to action this week
Daniil Medvedev hits the top two in ATP Rankings.