Yet another sporting event has been canceled due to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Wimbledon on Wednesday announced that the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC) had canceled the 2020 event — the first time that has happened since 1945 for tennis' oldest and most prestigious tournament.
The announcement came in conjunction with a joint announcement from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women's Tennis Association (WTA) that they would further extend the suspension of their respective tours, to July 13. Wimbledon was initially scheduled to run from June 29 to July 12.
MORE: Coronavirus updates: Every sporting event canceled so far
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.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) April 1, 2020
The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021.https://t.co/c0QV2ymGAt
Unlike the Roland-Garros (French Open) — postponed until September from its usual late-May start — The Championships will not be held again until June 28, 2021.
It's only natural that the event be canceled to prioritize the health of players and fans in the wake of an unprecedented pandemic. Likewise, it's natural the players who would normally be playing on iconic Wimbledon's grass courts be devastated:
Tennis world reacts to Wimbledon cancellation
Devastated https://t.co/Fg2c1EuTQY pic.twitter.com/cm1wE2VwIp
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 1, 2020
I’m Shooked https://t.co/dS0cNcCdm0
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) April 1, 2020
My thoughts on the cancellation of #Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/gWPoOJLUXH
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 1, 2020
i’m gonna miss playing in @Wimbledon this year💔. Stay safe everyone, love you guys❤️🥺
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) April 1, 2020
So sad to hear @Wimbledon won’t take place this year. Last year’s final will forever be one of the happiest days of my life! But we are going through something bigger than tennis and Wimbledon will be back! And it means I have even longer to look forward to defending my title 🤗 pic.twitter.com/PmppwUuKtD
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) April 1, 2020
This is extremely sad but understandable... https://t.co/7Megk23Ekh
— Jan-Michael Gambill (@JanmikeGambill) April 1, 2020
No Wimbledon this year 😭
— Illya Marchenko (@imarchello) April 1, 2020
И Уимблдона в этом году не будет 😭 https://t.co/QBxGQKtiNL
😢😢😢😢😢😢 will miss you SO MUCH!
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) April 1, 2020
This is gutting…. and no, this is not an April Fools joke…
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 1, 2020
Hope we can all be there in 2021!!!!
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) April 1, 2020
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) April 1, 2020
See you in 2021, Wimbledon. 😢
— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) April 1, 2020
Stay home, stay safe everyone. #weareallinthistogether pic.twitter.com/VfIQRl7RHG
The news we were all expecting to hear has been announced. Devastating 😭 but health and safety comes first. See you in 2021 everybody. Stay safe 💕🎾 https://t.co/jQINdq1HM8
— Melanie South (@melaniesouth) April 1, 2020
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) April 1, 2020
My thoughts on @Wimbledon 😘 pic.twitter.com/0K7NX0Z10h
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) April 1, 2020
Obviously heart broken losing the championships at Wimbledon this year. I’m saddened as the club supports hundreds of desperate local charities with the profits. Players are adaptable thats a strength as pros it’s the small people on the fringes who are really hurting now!
— Pat Cash (@TheRealPatCash) April 1, 2020
