With the health and safety of all of those who come together to make Wimbledon happen—the public in the U.K. and visitors from around the world, the players, guests, members, staff, volunteers, partners, contractors, and local residents—still the number one priority, the oldest tennis tournament in the world is now on hiatus.
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak earlier in January, the Main Board of the All England Club (AELTC) and the Committee of Management of The Championships have followed guidance from the U.K. Government and public health authorities in relation to their year-round operations, alongside developing an understanding of the likely trajectory of the outbreak in the United Kingdom.
Based on various considerations, particularly those related to the concerns brought about by mass gatherings and the strain on the medical and emergency services as well as movement and travel restrictions both within the U.K. and around the world, the committee and the main board have decided—with great regret—that The Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic. Moreover, The 134th Championships will instead be staged from June 28 to July 11, 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
“This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the well being of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen,” explained AELTC Chairman’s Ian Hewitt.
“It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year’s Championships, and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon’s resources to help those in our local communities and beyond,” he added. “Our thoughts are with all those who have been and continue to be affected by these unprecedented times.”
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