Despite the coronavirus pandemic, two other Grand Slam tournaments are still scheduled to play in 2020: the United States Open and the French Open.
But only the French Open is intended to have spectators. Bernard Giudicelli, president of the French Tennis Federation, said Thursday that the tournament could host up to 20,000 fans at the site per day if the public health situation in France does not deteriorate.
The French Open plans to operate at “50 to 60 percent” of its usual capacity, Giudicelli said.
“This will allow us to respect the limits that we have agreed with the French authorities,” he said in a video conference with journalists.
Originally slated to start in late May, the French Open was postponed due to the health crisis and is now slated to run from September 27 to October 11.
Tournament organizers canceled the tickets they had sold for the original dates and offered refunds. Tickets for the new dates will be available starting July 9 for members of the French federation and starting July 16 for the general public, including fans from other countries, although some of those fans may face travel restrictions imposed by the European Union.
The plans of the French Open are in contrast to the US Open, which will be played without spectators from August 31 to September 13 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. New York was once one of the epicenters of the pandemic, with the tennis center becoming a temporary hospital, but the situation in the city has improved dramatically in recent weeks, while the infection rate continues to rise in many other parts. from the country.
But the French Open is not alone in its focus. World Team Tennis, a league that is not part of the official tours, plans to allow up to 500 spectators per day, about 20 percent of its capacity, during its season from July 12 to August 2. For security reasons, the season will be hosted entirely at The Greenbrier, a resort in White Sulfur Springs, W. Va., Owned by the state governor.
Regular tennis tour events like the Citi Open in Washington, DC and the Mutua Madrid Open in Spain have not ruled out having spectators on site.
Although the NBA and other major professional leagues in North America plan to resume behind closed doors, some major sporting events have announced plans to allow spectators. These include the rescheduled Kentucky Derby horse race and the Tour de France cycling race, which is now scheduled to end on September 20 in Paris, a day before the start of the French Open qualifying tournament.
The grounds at Roland Garros Stadium are the smallest of the four Grand Slam venues, and the French Open has long been the busiest main tournament with its tree-lined alleys often resembling sidewalks in big cities. during rush hour.
But the French Open is nearing the end of a costly expansion designed to provide more elbow room, and Giudicelli expressed confidence that the tournament could manage health risks this year while working closely with medical experts and the French government.
France is emerging from closure and has seen a significant drop in coronavirus infections and deaths.
For now, there are no plans to check viewer temperatures prior to entry or to require that they be screened for the virus. The use of masks will be mandatory when moving around the grounds, but it is not mandatory when sitting in a court, although the measures could change.
On the show’s three main courts – Philippe Chatrier, Suzanne Lenglen and Simonne Mathieu – fans will be able to sit together in groups of no more than four, with empty seats separating the groups. On outdoor courts, where seats are not individually fined, one out of every two seats will be left empty to allow for social distancing, and even families will not be allowed to sit next to each other.
Jean-François Vilotte, director general of the French federation, said the expectation was that the main entertainment courts could operate at 60 to 70 percent of their normal capacity.
Ticket prices for the French Open remain the same as for the original dates. If the health situation in France continues to improve, Giudicelli said the tournament could sell additional tickets in September. If the situation deteriorates, he said capacity could be further reduced and some tickets will be reimbursed.
Although tickets are available for international purchase, there is no plan to offer refunds to those from other countries who are unable to enter France due to health related travel restrictions. For now, United States citizens are among those prohibited from entering the country.
Much could change, but what is certain is that this will be an unusual year at Roland Garros.
“This 2020 tournament will be in every way a historic tournament,” said Giudicelli.
