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‘The Big Cancel’ has struck the sports world again, this time in England as Wimbledon 2020 has officially been canceled. The oldest of the four Grand Slam events will not be rescheduled to be played sometime this year, either. Instead, what will be the 134th edition of the tournament will begin on June 28, 2021.
Wimbledon’s statement references the great preparation that would be needed to try and reschedule the event at some point this year as a great obstacle on top of major travel concerns regarding players and fans. This year’s event was scheduled to begin on June 29.
“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 cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic. The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021.”
It is with great regret that the AELTC has today decided that The Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic.
The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021.https://t.co/c0QV2ymGAt
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) April 1, 2020
Wimbledon also explained that all efforts will now be focused on contributing to the emergency response and supporting those affected by the crisis.
Many other tennis tournaments all around the world on both the ATP and WTA tours have been canceled due to the current situation the world finds itself in at this time.
This is the first time Wimbledon has been canceled in the Open Era. The tournament was also canceled in 1915-18 and 1940-45 due to World War I and II.