Wimbledon tournament canceled for the first time in 75 years
The cancellations and postponements of sporting events have spread in the same dimension as the global pandemic of COVID-19 and now it was the turn of the London GrandSlam organization to announce that it will not happen in 2020, even though a date has already been set for 2021 …
Total agreement between the parties
Unlike other tournaments such as Roland Garros – who announced a new date later this year in spite of the players and ATP organization – it seems that common sense prevailed in the British case with the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – responsible for the Wimbledon organization – to issue a statement on the cancellation of the tournament in 2020 in conjunction with the ATP and WTA.
As a consequence of the suspension enacted by the ATP, WTA and ITF until mid-July, it was relatively natural that we received this message that the mythical turf tournament would not take place this year, noting the organizers’ humility in not looking for an alternative date. in times of crisis, and may even run over other events of similar importance later on the calendar.
In this specific case, Wimbledon will have given a lesson in humility and common sense to the organization of the French Open which hurried to delay the production of Roland Garros until October, in spite of the other interested institutions or the players themselves. that the ATP and WTA circuits consider not offering any points for the world ranking if the tournament maintains its date which was established without any kind of agreement with the parties interested in the matter.
Wimbledon only stopped in times of war
The magnitude of the times we live in is well mirrored by the symbolism of the cancellation of Wimbledon only for the third time in its centennial history. London’s grassy courts have hosted the emblematic tennis tournament since 1877, however, only in two periods of its history has it not taken place.
First, between 1915 and 1918 because of the 1st World War and then between 1940 and 1945 because of the 2nd World War, now stopping for the third time due to a world pandemic that has shaken the foundations of our planet, although for different reasons in the face of a planetary war.
In practice, we can say that this is also a ‘war’, although it is not waged between humans of two factions, but of humans generally united in the fight against an unknown virus that has made many casualties since its birth in the United States. living markets in Wuhan, China.
But turning now to the sporting side, it will be interesting to analyze who will be the players that could benefit more and less from this competitive stop which resulted in the cancellation of the Wimbledon tournament.
Novak Djokovic will have to wait to eat another piece of grass
The current world No. 1 and winner of the first Grand Slam of the year in Australia will have been one of the least benefited from this competitive stop because he seemed to be the elite tennis player in better shape at the beginning of the year.
In addition, the Serbian again approached the total number of Grand Slams in the career of Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer and certainly would have signaled Wimbledon as another great opportunity to continue that approach.
Novak Djokovic has won the last two editions of the British tournament, and four of the last six for what has been the main dominator of the turf season in recent years.
On the side of those who may not be too concerned about the disappearance of Wimbledon from the 2020 calendar will be the Spaniard Rafael Nadal who only won there on two occasions – 2008 and 2010 – and could hardly surprise the Serbian or even the Swiss Roger Federer.
In contrast, the Roland Garros tournament where the Spanish tennis player is King is still on this year’s calendar, although it is involved in major controversies and with serious doubts about whether it can be held on the dates unilaterally declared by the organizers of the Gallic competition.
Times of confinement and solidarity
The main tennis players of the ATP and WTA circuits (male and female, respectively) have been particularly active on social media these days, describing a little what has been their social isolation and how they seek to maintain good shape.
In addition, solidarity has also prevailed among the most media and wealthy with various charitable actions, namely through monetary donations or essential goods and protective material. These are tough times for everyone, but it is up to those who have the most to contribute to aid. the most disadvantaged who tend to suffer more in times of crisis, and tennis has set an example.
