There will be no Wimbledon 2020 this time in England. The Championships The Championships has been cancelled by the All England Lawn Tennis Club due to Coronavirus pandemic, first time since World War II. This was to have been the 134th edition of the event. It will now take place from June 28 to July 11 in 2021.
The club officials wrote in a statement, “Uppermost in our mind has been the health & safety of all of those who make Wimbledon happen — the public, players, guests, members, staff, volunteers, partners, contractors, and local residents — as well as our responsibility to society’s efforts to tackle this global challenge.”
Though the French Open- the Grand Slam that preceeds Wimbledon- has been postponed and will now occur just seven days after the US Open, a postponement of 2020 Wimbledon Championship was not possible. This was because the nature of the grass courts rules out playing in summer’s swelter or nippy autumn.
Players past and present reacted heavily after the cancellation of Wimbledon 2020.
Roger Federer- 8-times Wimbledon Men’s Singles Champion
“Devastated”!
Serena Williams- 7-times Wimbledon Women’s Singles Champion
“I’m Shocked”!
Simona Halep- Wimbledon Women’s Singles Champion 2019
“So sad to hear @Wimbledon won’t take place this year. Last year’s final will forever be one of the happiest days of my life! But we are going through something bigger than tennis and Wimbledon will be back! And it means I have even longer to look forward to defending my title.”
Barbora Strycova- Wimbledon Women’s Doubles Champion 2019
“It will always be the tournament of my life.”
Petra Kvitova- 2-time Wimbledon Women’s Singles Champion
“It’s definitely a tough one to take. Not only is it a special tournament to me, but it’s a tournament that has been part of history for so long that it will leave a big hole in the calendar. I will missing playing on the beautiful grass and wearing my whites, but of course we know it will be back better than ever next year. And maybe we will all appreciate it even more!”
Coco Gauff- Youngest women player ranked in the top 100
“I’m gonna miss playing in @Wimbledon this year. Stay safe everyone, love you guys.”
Pat Cash – Former Wimbledon Champion
“Obviously heart broken losing the championships at Wimbledon this year. I’m saddened as the club supports hundreds of desperate local charities with the profits. Players are adaptable thats a strength as pros it’s the small people on the fringes who are really hurting now!”
Martina Navratilova- Former Wimbledon Champion
“This is gutting…. and no, this is not an April Fools joke…
Hope we can all be there in 2021!!!!”
Billie Jean King- 6-time Wimbledon Women’s Singles Champion
“I fully understand and support the decision of the committee and it is vital we keep our focus on those most impacted by this pandemic.”
Boris Becker- 3-time Wimbledon Men’s Singles Champion
“The problem is the surface, you only have the summer months to prepare and ultimately play on the best grass courts which is usually the case at Queen’s and Wimbledon. But in order to do so the grass courts need much more preparation time than any other surface. You can play the French Open or the U.S. Open later… even in October maybe. But on grass you can only play in the summer months.”
Angelique Kerber- Wimbledon Women’s Singles Champion 2018
“It goes without saying that I’m heavy hearted that the cancellation of the grass court season also means that I won’t be able to play in front of my home crowd in Bad Homburg and Berlin. It’s disappointing for me but also for all those who put their heart and soul into these events and for the fans who love our sport and support us players all year round.”
