The Wimbledon Championships 2020 have been scrapped for the first time since World War II due to the global outspread of coronavirus pandemic. The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s Chiefs bowed down to the unavoidable situation and took. Subsequently, the organizers took the decision to cancel the tournament after an emergency meeting on Wednesday.
The Championships were to start from June 29. However, the suspension of the tournament leaves the tennis tour in discomposure, with no tennis due to be played until at least July 13.
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Earlier, Wimbledon was canceled from 1915 to 1918 because of World War I and from 1940 to 1945 due to World War II.
Wimbledon Championships 2020 organizers made the decision with “great regret”
“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 canceled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic,” Wimbledon said in a statement.
The All England Club considered a number of alternatives, including postponement and playing the tournament with no spectators. However, as the tournament is played on grass, the postponement could affect the playing conditions.
Furthermore, organizing the tournament behind closed doors was also ruled out by the club. Consequently, the cancellation of the event was the best option.
“Uppermost in our mind has been the health and safety of all of those who come together to make Wimbledon happen. The public in the UK and visitors from around the world, our players, guests, members, staff, volunteers, partners, contractors, and local residents. As well as our broader responsibility to society’s efforts to tackle this global challenge to our way of life,” the statement added.
Also Read: US Open Releases Its Statement After Wimbledon’s Cancelation
Eight-time champion Roger Federer and six-time champion Serena Williams among the leading players to express their disappointment at the decision. Subsequently, many other top tennis stars were disheartened with the inevitable decision. Let’s take a look at all the reactions –
Devastated https://t.co/Fg2c1EuTQY pic.twitter.com/cm1wE2VwIp
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 1, 2020
I’m Shooked https://t.co/dS0cNcCdm0
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) April 1, 2020
💔but will see you in 2021! 💪💜💚 #StayHomeSaveLives
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) April 1, 2020
See you in 2021, Wimbledon. 😢
Stay home, stay safe everyone. #weareallinthistogether pic.twitter.com/VfIQRl7RHG— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) April 1, 2020
april fools….. right?! https://t.co/Si3SogfJ5H
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) April 2, 2020
i’m gonna miss playing in @Wimbledon this year💔. Stay safe everyone, love you guys❤️🥺
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) April 1, 2020
This one hurt that little extra bit 💔 Stay safe and see you in 2021 @wimbledon pic.twitter.com/7KUMI2SeAX
— Katie Boulter (@KatieBoulter1) April 1, 2020
#Wimbledon 😭 pic.twitter.com/ArJFzQHpP6
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) April 1, 2020
💔 @Wimbledon has confirmed that the tournament will not take place this year. I'm gonna miss playing there 🌱 Bohužel. To, co jsme čekali, už je oficiální. Wimbledon se letos hrát nebude 😢 pic.twitter.com/n0DjSPOjS0
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) April 1, 2020
Here’s to seeing you in 2021 @Wimbledon 💪🎾 pic.twitter.com/hxBZfHrAHz
— Johanna Konta (@JohannaKonta) April 1, 2020
😔 @Wimbledon has confirmed that the tournament will not take place this year 😢 See you in 2021, 🌱! pic.twitter.com/5SXThr4wG8
— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) April 1, 2020
I am so sad to get the news today. 😢It is and it will always be the tournament of my life @wimbledon https://t.co/xVmobNuP2X
— Barbora Strycova (@BaraStrycova) April 1, 2020
My thoughts on @Wimbledon 😘 pic.twitter.com/0K7NX0Z10h
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) April 1, 2020
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 🤗 pic.twitter.com/PmppwUuKtD
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) April 1, 2020
This is gutting…. and no, this is not an April Fools joke…
Hope we can all be there in 2021!!!!— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 1, 2020
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) April 1, 2020
Please say it’s #AprilFools …all of this😩💔🎾 https://t.co/6Ro2lJG2JG
— Shelby Rogers (@Shelby_Rogers_) April 1, 2020
My thoughts on the cancellation of #Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/gWPoOJLUXH
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 1, 2020
I’ve always had so many great memories at @Wimbledon. The grass season will definitely be missed but the most important thing right now for us to focus on is that we’re all staying healthy and safe at home. pic.twitter.com/Btlu9rMfDc
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) April 1, 2020
Will miss you, @Wimbledon. Your tradition, your history, your respect for our sport.
Always a special place… 🤍🌸🌱 pic.twitter.com/olLFVh1ADH
— Carla Suárez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) April 1, 2020
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Shattered to not be heading to my favourite place this year 😔 Wimbledon will always be so very special to me.
Looking forward to making new memories in 2021 💚💜 pic.twitter.com/BEWsoEDNX6— Ash Barty (@ashbarty) April 2, 2020
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— Lucas Pouille (@la_pouille) April 1, 2020
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