Wimbledon in doubt due to coronavirus

The All England Lawn Tennis Club could postpone or cancel this year’s Wimbledon Championships due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An emergency meeting of the AELTC board is scheduled for next week, and in preparation they are communicating closely with the LTA, and with the ATP, WTA, ITF and the other Grand Slams.

Organisers admit that postponement is not without significant risk and difficulty due to the nature of the surface while the idea of playing behind closed doors has been formally ruled out.

Richard Lewis CBE, AELTC Chief Executive, said in a statement: “The unprecedented challenge presented by the COVID-19 crisis continues to affect our way of life in ways that we could not have imagined, and our thoughts are with all those affected in the UK and around the world.

“The single most important consideration is one of public health, and we are determined to act responsibly through the decisions we make.

“We are working hard to bring certainty to our plans for 2020 and have convened an emergency meeting of the AELTC main board for next week, at which a decision will be made.”