Wimbledon Cancelled Due To Coronavirus – Organisers

 

Wimbledon chiefs on Wednesday cancelled the Grand Slam tournament for the first time since World War II as the coronavirus wreaks further havoc on the global sporting calendar.

“It is with great regret that the main board of the All England Club (AELTC) and the committee of management of the Championships have today decided that The Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic,” the organisers said in a statement.

The cancellation of the only grasscourt Grand Slam tournament leaves the tennis season in disarray.

All England Club chairman Ian Hewitt said the decision had not been taken lightly.

“It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by world wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year’s Championships.”

READ ALSO: COVID-19: UEFA Postpones All International Matches Scheduled For June

The decision also prompted the ATP and WTA to cancel the grass court swing in the build-up to Wimbledon meaning the tennis season will not now recommence until July 13 at the earliest.

AFP

Anthonia Orji

Disqus Comments Loading...
Share
Published by
Anthonia Orji

Recent Posts

CAN Faults FIRS’ ‘Offensive’ Easter Message, Demands Apology 

FIRS had posted the Easter message on its social media platforms, sharing a point of…

26 mins ago

Formula One Owners Liberty Media Buy MotoGP For $4.5 Bn

MotoGP said in a statement that Liberty Media would acquire an "approximately 86 per cent"…

34 mins ago

Ahmed Musa Explains Why He Did Not Shake Hands With Kano Gov Abba Yusuf

A video of Musa at the Kano State Government House last month generated controversy on…

54 mins ago

Rookie Lapeira Wins Tour Of Basque Country Sprint

This was a third win so far in 2024 for the 23-year-old AG2R rider Lapeira,…

56 mins ago

CAS Rejects IBA’s Appeal To Organise Olympic Boxing

The International Olympic Committee withdrew its recognition of boxing's governing body, the IBA, last year…

1 hour ago

Angry Youths Destroy Farmer’s House, Poultry In Plateau

The farm owner and his family have been taken into police custody for safety.

1 hour ago