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Wimbledon Switches to Lockdown Mode
The All England Club is shut down for the time being. Wimbledon is in total lockdown for safety from the coronavirus crisis.
The AELTC announced it has closed the All England Club and Wimbledon Park Golf Club grounds. The Wimbledon Museum and Tours, Shop, and Community Sports Ground have been closed since March 17th.
The announcement comes hours after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed strict safety measures aimed to stall the spread of COVID-19. Johnson announced a ban on public gatherings of more than two people and immediate closures of stores selling non-essential goods.
Last week, the ATP and WTA announced the cancellation of the entire spring clay-court season. The Tours are aiming to resume the pro circuit on June 7th, however that timetable may be ambitious given the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.
At this time, Wimbledon says it will consult with government and health officials before reaching a decision on playing, postponing or cancelling the 2020 Championships. On Tuesday the world learned the 2020 Olympic Games, scheduled for July 24 to August 9, have been postponed until 2021. As of now, it is not clear how the decision will influence Wimbledon's decison on the Championships, which are scheduled from 29 June to July 12.
In the meantime, the grounds at the All England Club still look lovely.
Sights for sore eyes 🌷#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/6wnIzWTuap
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) March 23, 2020
“We are continuing to work closely with the government and the public health authorities, we are considering all scenarios as we continue to plan for The Championships and the grass court season,” Wimbledon said in a statement.
Rome May Shift to September as Roland Garros Tune-Up
According to sources the Internazionali BNL d'Italia is considering rescheduling for later in the year. Rome may roam to a new spot in the schedule.
The Italian Tennis Federation is considering staging the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in September as a tune-up tournament to Roland Garros.
More: US Open Reviewing All Options
Last week, the French Tennis Federation announced its unilateral decision to shift Roland Garros from its May slot in the schedule to September 20th—a week after the US Open ends.
In response to the coronavirus crists, the ATP and WTA extended suspension of play until June, wiping out the spring clay-court season.
Italian Tennis Federation President Angelo Binaghi said the plan is to reschedule Rome.
"We plan to reschedule the Internazionali d’Italia this year,” Binaghi told Sky Sports 24. "We would like to be one of the lead up events for the French Open.”
The US Open, which is schedule to conclude on September 13th, announced it is considering all scheduling options. That’s prompted some speculation the US Open could move to October.
While Rome has a long history as a red-clay court event, Binaghi said organizers are open to playing on any surface at any time this season.
" We would like to have it in Rome, but are willing to have it at any time, and on any surface,” Binaghi told Sky Sports 24.
Rafael Nadal and Karolina Pliskova are the reigning Rome champions.
Italy has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic with more than 6,000 deaths from COVID-19.
US Open Releases Statement on 2020 Schedule
The tournament doesn't intend to change its dates, but doesn't rule it outThe US Open has released a statement on its schedule with regard to the Cornavirus pandemic, which leaves room for the tournament to make changes if it deems necessary.
“The USTA is continuing to plan for the 2020 US Open and is not at this time implementing any changes to the schedule,” the tournament said in a statement.
“These are unprecedented times, though, and we are assessing all of our options, including the possibility of moving the tournament to a later date. At a time when the world is coming together, we recognize that such a decision should not be made unilaterally, and therefore the USTA would only do so in full consultation with the other Grand Slam tournaments, the WTA and ATP, the ITF and our partners, including the Laver Cup.”
An update on the 2020 US Open. pic.twitter.com/YfhnsKdvBD
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) March 17, 2020
Earlier on Tuesday, the French Tennis Federation announced that it would be moving Roland Garros to a September 20 start date, which means that the tournament would begin just six days after the men’s singles final in New York.
Some, including Simona Halep's current coach Darren Cahill, took the opportunity to both praise the US Open and reprimand Roland Garros for today's decisions. Many believe that the FFT acted unilaterally in their decision to move Roland Garros.
This is a proper statement & position relating to a future tournament, unlike our friends at Roland Garros. Let's take a breath, take our time, of course try and protect the 4 Majors as a priority, but come together to work together as a whole. ATP, WTA, ITF and Majors be all in. https://t.co/1v84z90wU6
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) March 17, 2020
Oooooh the shade https://t.co/87Trr0CB6B
— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) March 17, 2020
But with the Coronavirus pandemic still growing across the globe, it is unknown which events will need to be rescheduled. There are currently over 197,000 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide, and the US has over 6,000
Earlier on Tuesday Wimbledon also released a statement, presumably in response to the Roland Garros news.
The AELTC is continuing to monitor and respond to the coronavirus situation, working closely with the government and relevant health authorities.
While we continue to plan for The Championships at this time, it remains a continuously evolving situation.https://t.co/Tc4fSuPs9Z
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) March 17, 2020
Guy Forget Talked to Nadal Before Roland Garros Announced Postponement
The King of Clay was notified of the French Tennis Federations decision before news broke on Tuesday… While many in tennis circles were surprised about the French Tennis Federations decision to postpone Roland Garros until after the US Open (Sep 20 to Oct. 4), Rafael Nadal was reportedly in the know.
According to French Federation President Bernard Guidicelli, Roland Garros Tournament Director Guy Forget reached Nadal to inform him of the decision just before the news broke.
"We had Rafa on the phone we tried to reach other players,” said the president of the FFT during a press conference, according to RMC Sport. “It was Guy who got Rafa. His feeling is that it is a good decision that allows clay to stay on the calendar.”
RG tournament director Guy Forget called Rafa Nadal before the announcement. Not surprising. https://t.co/6f4CsVGGXm
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) March 17, 2020
If the calendar holds, Nadal would attempt to defend the two major titles he currently holds within a five week span. But we probably shouldn’t worry about that now, there are simply too many unknowns in the current calendar due to the Coronavirus pandemic that is rapidly approaching 200 confirmed cases late Tuesday evening.
More to follow…
Bernard Tomic Is Self-Quarantining in Miami, But Has Not Tested for Coronavirus Yet
The former World No.17 says he has siffered shortness of breath but has yet to be tested for CoronavirusAustralia’s Bernard Tomic has placed himself under quarantine in the United States after showing symptoms of Coronavirus.
“Since Tuesday, started feeling not right,” Tomic said, according to the Herald Sun. “I already had shortness of breath and my immune system was low and run down. I’m currently in Miami and isolated away from everyone, as advised. “I’m yet to be tested for [COVID-19] but I have all the symptoms.”
Bernard Tomic appears to have diagnosed himself with coronavirus.
Here's where the tennis star says he became a victim of the pandemic. https://t.co/kjZJ3neiwa
— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) March 16, 2020
Tomic thinks that he picked up his illness traveling in Mexico recently, but has yet to take a test to determine if he is positive for Coronavirus.
Kazakhstan’s Shvedova is First Tennis Player to Be Quarantined for Coronavirus
The 32-year-old picked the wrong flight from Moscow to Kazakhstan and had to be quarantined. Yaroslava Shvedova became the first professional tennis player to be quarantined due to Coronavirus last week as the 32-year-old ended up on a plane from Moscow to Nur-Sulta, Kazakhstan with an Italian passenger that tested positive for Coronavirus.
The former singles World No.25 (World No.3 doubles at one point) and two-time major doubles champion says she was on her way home to see her family after Indian Wells was cancelled but learned that she’d have to quarantine for 14 days soon after.
She later learned that her test was negative but still must complete her quarantine before being released.
WTA Rankings: Taking Stock of Biggest Risers of 2020
With the tour at a standstill we're taking a look at the biggest WTA rankings risers of 2020 thus far.
With the cancellation of this week’s BNP Paribas Open, we’ll use the free time to give an update on the WTA rankings while at the same time wishing tennis—and the globe—good health and prosperity during these uncertain times.
Hopefully all will be back to normal soon. For now let’s look at who have made the most notable achievements on the WTA ranking ladder.
Kenin Crushing it
Sofia Kenin is the biggest riser inside the WTA’s Top-10 thanks to her maiden major title at this year’s Australian Open. The American also took the title last week at Lyon and improves to 15-5 on the season. The 21-year-old is THE story of 2020 thus far on the WTA side.
Rybakina Rising
Also making serious noise in the WTA rankings is Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina. The 20-year-old became the first player to crack the 20-win mark before the end of February since Elena Dementieva in 2009 and has climbed from 37 to a career-high ranking of 17 thanks to 21 wins in her 25 matches.
Garbi’s Got Game
Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza is on the comeback trail in a big way and she proved that in January when she powered her way to the Australian Open final. That was Muguruza’s fourth major final and it helped her climb 20 spots in the rankings from 36 at the end of 2019 to 16 in today’s rankings. Expect the 26-year-old former No.1 to go much higher this year, as she’s looking re-energized and working effectively with coach Conchita Martinez.
Thanks #AusOpen and all🇦🇺 fans 😘
…and to my team 💪💪!!
Congrats @SofiaKenin 🏆
See you all next year! pic.twitter.com/AXz36tHQpI
— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) February 1, 2020
Ons Owning 2020
Ons Jabeur has been a delight to watch ever since January, where she became the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal. She’s 11-5 on the season and has notched her first Top 10 win since 2018 by beating Karolina Pliskova in Doha. The Tunisian has risen from 77 in the rankings all the way to a career-high 39.
More: Groundbreaking Ons Jabeur Wants to Inspire the Tunisia's Generation Next
Another Canadian Kid? You Better Believe It!
Canada’s Leylah Fernandez has notched her first Top 10 win and reached her maiden WTA final of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, climbing nearly 100 spots in the WTA rankings to get from 209 all the way to 118. It’s just a matter of time that the 17-year-old joins the Top 100.
Other notable rankings movers:
Coco Gauff is up 16 spots from where she started 2020, now at 52 in the world after brief spell in the Top 50. … Marie Bouzkova makes her Top 50 debut at 47 after reaching the Monterrey final—10 spots higher than where she started 2020. … Switzerland’s Leonie Kung made it to the final in Thailand in just her second WTA main draw, and the 19-year-old, a Wimbledon Girls Singles finalist in 2018, has risen from 330 to 155 in the rankings as a result.
Jamie Murray: “We Could Potentially Be Looking at Not Having a Tour for Four to Six Months”
The doubles star is still in shock in the wake of the cancellation of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. On a spot for Tennis Channel’s “My Tennis Life” two-time doubles and five-time mixed doubles Grand Slam champion Jamie Murray talked about the shock he felt when the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells was cancelled and he pondered what life might be like for tennis players over the next few months as the Coronavirus epidemic wreaks havoc on large events across the globe.
“Kind of in a bit of shock about it, and also what’s going to happen with the tour now,” Murray said in a video (click to watch Murray’s full statement on Twitter below).
"We could potentially be looking at not having a tour…"@Jamie_Murray gives his take on the cancellation of Indian Wells.#MyTennisLife #BNPPO20 pic.twitter.com/Desi2JvS4D
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 10, 2020
“Obviously a lot more events, especially ones in Europe, there’s a lot kicking off in those countries,” Murray continues. “With regards to Coronavirus, what kinds of sanctions will be put in place? We could be potentially be looking at not having a tour for the next four to six months until this gets under control, I guess. I wonder why they didn’t want to play the tournament behind closed doors either and just kind of not let the public in. I wonder if that was under consideration or not but I guess we are going to find out more in due course.”
The Coronavirus has hit Europe hard this week and just today Italy went over 10,000 confirmed cases even as it imposes nationwide limitations to travel.
The United States went over 800 cases on Tuesday afternoon.
The Spanish Tennis Federation released a statement that all of its tennis tournaments, professional or otherwise, would be played without spectators in attendance until further notice.
Players Express Frustration and Empathy about BNP Paribas Open Coronavirus Decision
Rafael Nadal and many others took to social media to share their thoughts on the BNP Paribas Open's decision to cancel the 2020 edition. Rafael Nadal was hoping to keep the momentum going in 2020 after claiming the Acapulco title, but the three-time BNP Paribas Open champion is hopeful that his season will resume relatively soon.
The Spaniard took to Twitter to express his mood on Sunday from Indian Wells, saying he was sad but that he hoped that there would be solutions coming soon from the authorities.
“So sad for all that is happening around the world with this situation,” Nadal said on Twitter. “Hopefully soon solutions from the authorities. Stay all well and safe.”
You probably all heard the news. Indian Wells cancelled. We are here and still deciding what’s next. So sad for all that is happening around the world with this situation. Hopefully soon solutions from the authorities. Stay all well and safe.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 9, 2020
The decision to cancel the 2020 BNP Paribas Open at the last second on Sunday left players scrambling and contemplating the financial costs and ranking costs, as well as the ongoing difficulty of the Coronavirus epidemic which is still growing and causing concern for the global community as a whole, and more specifically, the global sporting community.
Here are some more reactions from the players. There was a mix of frustration, empathy and understanding coming from the members of the tour, with many expressing both empathy about the spread of the virus globally, but frustration that they weren’t kept in the loop by their respective tours.
So sad about this 😭 but as they said priority has to be everyone’s health and safety!! Praying this gets better 🙏🏾 https://t.co/zwgNExu0SJ
— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) March 9, 2020
Can’t even imaging how MANY people lost LOTS of money with @BNPPARIBASOPEN cancellation… #ThinkingOutLoud
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) March 9, 2020
The lack of communication to the players about this whole situation is unbelievable. How is it ok that we are figuring out the hotel/practice situation from twitter? https://t.co/w3RzQBLJtO
— ダニエル太郎/Taro Daniel (@tarodaniel93) March 9, 2020
Whattttttt ?!?!?!? 😳😳😳😱😱😱 https://t.co/OCARjLXO1D
— EdouardRogerVasselin (@ERogerVasselin) March 9, 2020
So sad to hear the news about the postponing of the @BNPPARIBASOPEN . I was so excited to make my debut in IW, but safety is always the no.1 priority. Stay safe 🙏🏾❤️
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) March 9, 2020
Wtf? @WTA day before tournament starts? Everyone is here already?? https://t.co/P73tMRFpPi
— Alison Van Uytvanck (@AlisonVanU) March 9, 2020
Really… 😭 https://t.co/rEbMIBDGGD
— Johanna Konta (@JohannaKonta) March 9, 2020
@WTA isnt the least you can do is organizing an emergency meeting with the players????
— Kirsten Flipkens (@FlipperKF) March 9, 2020
They just cancelled @BNPPARIBASOPEN ! Wow! Feel terrible for everyone…. the organizers, the fans, sponsors and the players. This is a crazy situation but it’s better to keep everyone safe.
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) March 9, 2020
Estaría bueno que @atptour comunique un poco mejor a los jugadores de una suspensión de semejante torneo cuando estamos todos acá… enterarse por redes sociales o whats app es bastante flojo.
— diego schwartzman (@dieschwartzman) March 9, 2020
Et qui vient d’arriver à Indian Wells alors que le tournoi est annulé ?😉🤔🤔
— Julien Benneteau (@julienbenneteau) March 9, 2020
Just want to share my thoughts on the @BNPPARIBASOPEN event being canceled. Was there no chance to have the event without the public but then just televised? I feel like they could have included a bit more the players and keeping them up to date about certain possibilities.
— sascha Bajin (@BigSascha) March 9, 2020
Doesn’t bode well for the tour if IW cancelled for 1 confirmed case in Coachella Valley. Broward county (Miami Open home) has more confirmed cases. Monte Carlo borders northern Italy currently in lockdown. Rome Masters? French Open? Wimbledon?!!!
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) March 9, 2020
Sock, Nakashima, Fernandez Receive Indian Wells Wild Cards
The wild cards are set for the 2020 BNP Paribas Open.
The wild cards are set for next week’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Eleven American were given main draw wild cards into this year’s event, which begins Monday March 9 and ends Sunday March 22.
Jack Sock, Tennys Sandgren, Marcos Giron, Mitchell Krueger and 18-year-old Brandon Nakashima were awarded spots in the men’s singles draw, while Michael Mmoh, J.J. Wolf, Thai-Son Kwiatkowski, Govind Nanda and Carlos Alcaraz nabbed spots in the qualifying draw.
In addition to Kim Clijsters, who received her wild card in February, Catherine McNally, Kristie Ahn, Christina McHale, Shelby Rogers and 17-year-old Leylah Fernandez received wild cards.
Americans Madison Brengle and Usue Arconada also earned main draw wild cards by accumulating the most points over the four events of the 2019-2020 Oracle Challenger Series.
Nicole Gibbs, Whitney Osuigwe, Caroline Dolehide, Hailey Baptiste and BNP Paribas Open pre-qualifying champion Ashley Kratzer received wild cards into qualifying on the women’s side, along with 18-year-old Diane Parry of France.
Wild cards: @BNPPARIBASOPEN,
ATP
Tennys Sandgren
Jack Sock
Brandon Nakashima
Marcos Giron
Mitchell KruegerWTA
Catherine McNally
Kristie Ahn
Christina McHale
Shelby Rogers
Madison Brengle
Usue Arconada
Leylah Fernandez— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) March 7, 2020
Qualifiying wild-cards, @BNPPARIBASOPEN
ATP
Michael Mmoh
J.J. Wolf
Thai-Son Kwiatkowski
Govind Nanda
Carlos AlcarazWTA
Nicole Gibbs
Whitney Osuigwe
Caroline Dolehide
Hailey Baptiste
Ashley Kratzer
Diane Parry— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) March 7, 2020
