The French Open’s unprecedented decision to move the event has sent shock waves through the sport.
Laver Cup chiefs have hit back at their counterparts at the French Open and insisted the exhibition will go ahead in September.
On Tuesday, the French Tennis Federation announced they intended to schedule Roland Garros from September 20 to October 4 due to the impact of the global coronavirus.
Should their proposed idea come to fruition, Roland Garros would begin just one week after the men’s singles final at the US Open.
The pandemic has hit the tennis world massively with the ATP, WTA and ITF cancelling numerous tournaments over the next six weeks.
But with fears that the suspension of tennis will last longer than the current hiatus, the French Open made the bold decision to move their event to September.
That puts it in direct conflict with Roger Federer’s popular Laver Cup event.
Many of the biggest names in men’s tennis have competed in the exhibition and as it stands they face a choice between playing in Paris or Boston, where the Laver Cup is being held this year.
And in response to the French Open, the Laver Cup expressed surprise at the FFT’s announcement and insisted their ‘sold out’ event will go ahead.
“The tennis world learned today that the French Tennis Federation intends to schedule Roland Garros from September 20 – October 4, 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19,” the statement said.
Laver Cup chiefs have hit back at their counterparts at the French Open and insisted the exhibition will go ahead in September.
On Tuesday, the French Tennis Federation announced they intended to schedule Roland Garros from September 20 to October 4 due to the impact of the global coronavirus.
Should their proposed idea come to fruition, Roland Garros would begin just one week after the men’s singles final at the US Open.
The pandemic has hit the tennis world massively with the ATP, WTA and ITF cancelling numerous tournaments over the next six weeks.
But with fears that the suspension of tennis will last longer than the current hiatus, the French Open made the bold decision to move their event to September.
Many of the biggest names in men’s tennis have competed in the exhibition and as it stands they face a choice between playing in Paris or Boston, where the Laver Cup is being held this year.
And in response to the French Open, the Laver Cup expressed surprise at the FFT’s announcement and insisted their ‘sold out’ event will go ahead.
“The tennis world learned today that the French Tennis Federation intends to schedule Roland Garros from September 20 – October 4, 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19,” the statement said.
“This announcement came as a surprise to us and our partners – Tennis Australia, the USTA and the ATP.
“It raises many questions and we are assessing the situation.
“At this time, we want our fans, sponsors, broadcasters, staff, volunteers, players and the great city of Boston to know that we intend to hold Laver Cup 2020 as currently scheduled.”
The rescheduled French Open is also set to be played during WTA events in Tokyo and Wuhan.
US Open officials issued a strongly worded statement of their own, suggesting the French Open made their decision without getting a full agreement.
“The USTA is continuing to plan for the 2020 US Open and is not at this time implementing any changes to the schedule,” the statement said.
“These are unprecedented times, though, and we are assessing all of our options, including the possibility of moving the tournament to a later date.
“At a time when the world is coming together, we recognise that such a decision should not be made unilaterally, and therefore the USTA would only do so in full consultation with the other grand slam tournaments, the WTA and ATP, the ITF (International Tennis Federation) and our partners, including the Laver Cup.”
Hausherr: “Roger Federer has talent, but also a good environment around him”
81-year-old Peter Hausherr, the highest-ranked Swiss player in ITF Singles 80+ rankings, talked about Roger Federer in a recent interview: “Federer is a stroke of luck.
Beyond his talent, he also has a good environment around him,” Currently, out of the ATP Tour with a knee injury that required surgery, Roger will come back to the Tour in the grass season unless the spread of Covid-19 also puts summer tournaments at risk.
Hausherr also talked about his long-standing love for tennis, which seems to never end: “I started competitions in 1954 when I was around 16-years-old. I was a five-time singles champion at Aargau, three times in the doubles and two in the mixed doubles.
I also managed to join the national team and it was allowed me to participate to the national competitions of Switzerland. Later on, I started playing again and I realized I was still able. Sometimes I happen to take the court with people younger than fifteen years compared to me.”
Despite his age, Hausherr has never lost his motivation: “Two years ago I tore the Achilles tendon, and it was a very difficult moment. Usually, however, I am always very well physically. My season has started in a positive way.
When I go out on the pitch, I do it to win.” ATP tournaments have been suspended for six weeks, and now WTA has also decided to suspend women’s tournaments until at least May 2nd. For now, we know players should come back on the court in the first days of May but it will depend on the spread of the Coronavirus.
