Wimbledon chiefs focused on planning for reduced-capacity tournament

Wimbledon organisers are focusing their efforts on planning for a reduced number of fans to attend this summer’s grass-court Grand Slam.
The All England Club is committed to staging the Championships, having cancelled the tournament last year for the first time since the Second World War because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Three scenarios previously announced of a tournament held behind closed doors, one with a full complement of fans and one with a reduced capacity are all still on the table, but the latter is the most likely.
Here’s to a brighter 2021 🙏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/JfWEhGlIWS
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) December 31, 2020
A Wimbledon statement read: “Our aspiration is to stage the best Championships possible – a trusted, best practice, safe event – with the health and safety of all guests, staff and competitors remaining our highest priority.
“With five months remaining until the Championships, we are continuing to develop our detailed scenario planning and work closely with the relevant government and public health authorities to keep abreast of the latest developments in the fight against coronavirus.
“The majority of our planning focus is currently centred on the option of a reduced-capacity Championships and how that would affect each stakeholder group, but we are not yet in a position to rule out any of the other scenarios.”
A truly memorable occasion to thank some very special people 💜💚
To show our gratitude for their heroic efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, 80 key workers were invited to visit #Wimbledon and play on our courts 🌱 pic.twitter.com/R71g9ZIY1j
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) September 8, 2020
The PA news agency understands organisers are working on different scenarios for what that capacity could be, depending on the public health situation at the time and the need for social distancing.
The club intends to announce a minimum position in April, with the ability to scale up should conditions improve.
What organisers are keen to avoid is the scenario the French Open found itself in last year when, having sold tickets based on hopes of having 50-60 per cent of full capacity, the tournament was eventually played in front of only 1,000 spectators per day.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Jessica Pegula identifies the players to beat on the WTA Tour
Jessica Pegula wants to upstage the big guns.
-
News
Watch: Taylor Fritz gives girlfriend Morgan Riddle a coaching session
Morgan Riddle’s forehand needs some work but her content is ace.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz keen to play Novak Djokovic at his peak – ‘When he’s 100 percent, he’s the best’
Who is the best player at the moment? Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic?
-
ATP Tour
Christopher Eubanks to surge up ATP Rankings as stars like Jamie Foxx line up to congratulate him
Christopher Eubanks is enjoying a dream run in Miami.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev ‘laid down for five hours, just relaxed’ due to rain delay
Daniil Medvedev was up way past his bedtime on Tuesday in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner ‘has everything to become No 1 in the world’
Darren Cahill highlights some areas that Jannik Sinner needs to improve.
-
WTA Tour
Jessica Pegula saves match points to beat ‘fearless’ Anastasia Potapova, up next the in-form Elena Rybakina
Jessica Pegula sets up Elena Rybakina showdown in Miami.
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas slams ‘pretty bad’ ATP rule after being ‘forced’ to play while injured in Indian Wells
Stefanos Tsitsipas unimpressed by ATP rules.
-
ATP Tour
Mystery over Carlos Alcaraz post match message is resolved
The mystery over Carlos Alcaraz’s post-match message has been cleared up.
-
WTA Tour
Bianca Andreescu issues update after horror injury at Miami Open
Bianca Andreescu has issued an update on her condition.