Mumbai
Tennis players around the world have hit out at the lack of communication from the game’s governing bodies in the wake of the French Open’s shock switch to September from May because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) on Tuesday said the claycourt Grand Slam at Roland Garros would now take place from Sept. 20-Oct. 4, dates that clash with several other events.
The French Open will begin just seven days after the U.S. Open final in New York, leaving players to contest the claycourt Grand Slam in the middle of the hardcourt swing.
The new coronavirus has killed more than 8,400 people and infected more than 198,300 around the world. The pandemic has also brought the sports world to a virtual standstill.
With players already counting the cost of the tennis shutdown, the decision did not go down well.
Canadian world number 93 Vasek Pospisil, who sits on the ATP Players Council, slammed the decision as “selfish” and “arrogant” and added that it showed the players had no say in the running of the sport.
“This is such a difficult time, everyone is being impacted by this catastrophe. Enhancing communication and working together to find solutions should be the priority,” he posted on Twitter. Pospisil’s views were echoed by other players. “This is not to call out the ATP but to show the difficulties in this sport,” said American Noah Rubin.
“Four biggest events are privately owned, can do what they please. Despite these being unprecedented times, you would think it would promote more communication.—Reuters
