The president of the French Tennis Federation (FFT), Bernard Giudicelli, confirmed that the Roland Garros tournament will be played in September, after having been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis, and with an audience if possible.
“I confirm that Roland Garros will be held,” Giudicelli said on the French program “Twitch”, hosted by French professional tennis player Gaël Monfils.
Giudicelli, who had already advanced in May his desire for the clay-court Grand Slam to take place in September, behind closed doors if necessary to avoid the economic bump, now indicated that his will is that there be a limited audience.
«I bet on a Roland Garros with a maximum audience. We do not have much affection for the hypothesis of playing behind closed doors, “he said, although he acknowledged that they will have to adapt to government directives.
“Let’s not forget that it is the Government that decides. With the expansion of the stadium and the security measures we can clearly imagine a Roland with a reduced caliber to protect the players and the public, “he added.
On Sunday, the twelve-time tournament champion Rafael Nadal also declared in the French press that a competition without an audience did not awaken the same illusion.
“What makes you play in front of the public is something difficult to find without an audience,” said the Spaniard, who hinted that he will only compete if the sanitary conditions are met to guarantee the health of professionals and the public who intervene in the stadium. EFE (HN)