“Only if Fans are Permitted” – Sports Minister on French Open 2020

The Sports Minister of France is positive that the French Open 2020 could take place in September if ‘things get better’. However, the tournament will take place only if the authorization of the public to be there.

Earlier, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) stunned the tennis world by taking a unilateral decision to reschedule the French Open to September 20.

However, there were doubts about Roland Garros 2020 taking place after French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced a new directive. The government put in place a prohibition on public gatherings of 5,000 or more until September.

French Open 2020 cannot take place without fans

Consequently, French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu suggested that that the French Major will not take place behind closed doors. She also explained that it would be “a little while” before any sporting events could resume. However, she revealed that the French Open will take place in September if the situation in France improves.

In an interview with RMC Radio on Thursday evening, Maracineanu spelled out her thoughts on the subject.

“We’re going to have to be patient, move forward carefully, and not make overly ambitious plans. If in September, things go even better, all the events on the calendar, such as the Tour de France, Roland Garros, or other major events, could be held.”

“These two events require spectators: for the box office at Roland Garros, for joy and excitement at the Tour de France. They will only be held if there is an authorization for the public to be there. They will not take place behind closed doors,” she noted.

Read More: French Open 2020 Gets Postponed Once Again

The outbreak of coronavirus has brought tennis to a standstill for an indefinite period since mid-March. Consequently, the All England Club had to cancel the Wimbledon Championships for the first time since World War II. We hope that the remaining two Majors, US Open and French Open, can still go ahead.