SBC News Wimbledon faces postponement as AELTC reviews its summer schedule

Wimbledon faces postponement as AELTC reviews its summer schedule

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) will hold emergency meetings next week assessing its options with regards to maintaining UK tennis’ 2020 schedule. 

Updating stakeholders, AELTC detailed that it is evaluating all potential scenarios, including the postponement of the Wimbledon 2020 Championships (29 June – 12 July) as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  

AELTC confirmed that it has been working on its tennis contingency planning since January, with the support of the UK government and public health services, advising on emergency measures for its professional tennis events schedule.

UK tennis’ summer schedule was due to begin at the end of April, with AELTC hosting its scheduled events and tournaments in the build-up to Wimbledon 2020.

Based on the advice of public health officials, AELTC stated that ‘there is a very short window available’ in which to host The Championships.

Of further note, AELTC detailed that athlete and public facilities have been drastically reduced following the temporary closure of Wimbledon Park Golf Club and Raynes Park. 

Richard Lewis CBE, AELTC Chief Executive, commented: “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.” 

The AELTC, through the Wimbledon Foundation, will continue to offer support to local communities through its partnerships with the British Red Cross and City Harvest.

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