PARIS - The leading tennis tours of the ATP and WTA will resume
in August after a five-month suspension due to the coronavirus
pandemic, organizers said Wednesday, while the US Open and French
Open grand slams were also confirmed.
Women's play will resume from August 3 with a clay-court tournament
in Palermo, Italy, while the men start August 14 on a Washington
hard-court in reworked schedules.
The US Open starts August 31 at Flushing Meadows in New York which
will also host the usual Cincinnati Masters tune-up event from the
week before.
French organizers said their major would be delayed a week to allow
qualifying after the US Open with the main draw at Roland Garros now
beginning September 27, two weeks after the New York final.
The French Open moved from its original May/June slot due to the
coronavirus outbreak while the US Open retains its planned berth.
Only the Wimbledon grass court major will not be held in 2020 having
been previously scrapped.
A statement said the rearranged dates would apply "providing the
conditions relating to the Covid-19 health crisis allow it to go
ahead."
Whether fans will be allowed in remains unclear, with Roland Garros
saying it would work with the French government to ensure the health
and safety of all people present. "All options will be considered and
are susceptible to change," it added.
"In the current, difficult climate, we are well aware that it is a
privilege to be able to hold Roland-Garros in its usual format," said
French tennis chief Bernard Giudicelli.
"Especially since the qualifying tournament will help to financially
support a category of professional players who have been severely
affected by this unprecedented crisis."
Leading players including world number ones Ash Barty and Novak
Djokovic had previously expressed doubt about the viability of
playing in New York, a coronavirus hotspot, under a strict hygiene
regime.
Six-time US Open champion Serena Williams, however, confirmed she was
on board to again chase a record 24th grand slam and said she "can't
wait to return to New York."
"First and foremost, our decision-making has been guided by the
health and well-being of all who will take part in the 2020 US Open,"
said United States Tennis Association president Patrick Galbraith.
"After educating ourselves through consultations with experts, and
following near round-the-clock planning for three months, we are
confident that we have a plan that is safe, viable and the right
thing to do for our sport."
The WTA Finals in Shenzhen, China, now conclude the season from
November 9 with the ATP expecting to confirm further dates, ahead of
the November finals in London, in mid-July.