WITH the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, it would be hard to find an athlete who would be shocked to see events delayed or cancelled. But that is exactly the case in the tennis world after French Open organisers blindsided players on the ATP and WTA Tours announcing that the traditional May to June event would be pushed back to post US Open. Here’s how it all played out:

The announcement:

Yesterday the French Tennis Federation (FFT because of native translation to Fédération Française de Tennis) announced on its site that the 2020 edition of Roland Garros would be moved from its May 24-June 7 planned dates to September 20-October 4.

In the statement, FFT President Bernard Giudicelli said it was a tough but necessary decision in light of recent times and the threat of COVID-19, emphasising the exceptional circumstances.

“It is a difficult but courageous decision that we have taken in this EXCEPTIONAL and evolving period since this weekend,” Giudicelli said. “We are acting in responsibility, we must be in solidarity with each other in this fight for the health security of all.”

The statement also said that due to the unpredictability that will come in the months to follow, there was no telling what it would be like for May 18 – when qualifying would begin. It said that all of the stakeholders involved with Roland Garros were the number one priority.

“If no one today can predict what the health situation will be on May 18, the containment measures in force make it impossible to prepare and therefore organize it on the dates initially planned,” the statement read. “In fact, to preserve the health of its employees, service providers and suppliers in a responsible manner during the preparation period, the FFT has decided to adopt the only scenario which will reconcile the organization of the tournament in 2020 and the fight against COVID-19. “At this point in its history, and while the modernization of its stadium makes it possible to organize the tournament during this period, the FFT wanted to preserve the 2020 edition. “The Roland-Garros tournament will be played from September 20 to October 4.”

THE FALLOUT – USTA:

While no-one would blame events for being rescheduled, the general rule of thumb is to notify everyone involved. Given the response to the announcement, the FFT did not inform the players, nor the United States Tennis Association (USTA), with spokesman Chris Widmaier telling the New York Post that the plans for the Flushing Meadows event were “ongoing” and organisers were “hopeful” the tournament would take place on schedule.

“However with the current situation, we are exploring every conceivable contingency surrounding the tournament,” Widmaier told The Post. “If any changes to the tournament needed to be made, we would make decisions in a collaborative manner and communicate them in a timely fashion. “We have a lot of contingencies — from no change, to no tournament at all, to different dates. “It’s the whole nine yards.”

The concern with the move from both a player and spectator perspective is the close proximity from which the French Open will end to the US Open starting. For a player such as Rafael Nadal who will once again be favourite to take 13th title at the claycourt event. It means the finalists at Flushing Meadows may be playing 14 matches in the space of four weeks across different surfaces on different continents across the globe, having to fly from New York to Paris and adjust back to clay in the middle of hard court season.

Secondly, the concern is the clash the announced delay will have on the big-money drawer, the Laver Cup. The Laver Cup is similar to golf’s President’s Cup, with Team Europe taking on Team World, which is scheduled for September 25-27 – right in the middle of the French Open. All of the major players take part in the event, including Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and for Team World, Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov and John Isner. In other words, the top-end players who play in the elite talent competition have a decision to make whether they want to play for more cash, or take to the courts in France in one of the game’s four majors.

From a spectators perspective, it means Roland Garros could see a player ranked low inside the top 10 as the number one seed, and potentially players as low down as 50 seeded, almost reduced to a ATP250 event quality. While it would add an air of surprise to it, no doubt those who have bought tickets – of which the ones from May to June will be refunded – would want to see the best players out on court.

So with all eyes on the USTA, a response was swift as it was needed – the show will go on.

“The tennis world learned today that the French Tennis Federation intends to schedule Roland Garros from Sept 20 – Oct 4, 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19,” the statement on the Laver Cup site read. “These dates overlap with the dates of Laver Cup 2020, already sold out, and scheduled for September 25-27, 2020 at TD Garden in Boston.

“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 FALLOUT – PLAYERS:

It is clear from the social media response of the players, that they were not informed of the change. In a tweet later deleted, Canadian Vasek Pospisil was stunned at the announcement.

“This is madness: major announcement by Roland Garros changing the dates to one week after the US Open. No communication with the players or the ATP. We have ZERO say in this sport. It’s time.”

After copping flak for the statement, Pospisil reiterated what his frustrations were with a second tweet.

“This is such a difficult time. Everyone is being impacted by this catastrophe. Enhancing communication & working together to find solutions should be the priority. Not going rogue & making selfish/arrogant decisions to further impact the tour in a negative way. #RolandGarros”

Others, such as top 10 Japanese star and 2018 US Open winner Naomi Osaka, and United States’ top 20 star Madison Keys had mixed responses of shock and humour to the announcement.

excusez moi??? https://t.co/kb5wi27dRc

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) March 17, 2020

Everything is fine. pic.twitter.com/VenGwYSqLw

— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) March 17, 2020

OPINION SUMMARY:

No doubt the world is in a trying time when it comes to large sporting events. Tournaments, leagues and one-off events are being rescheduled and even cancelled due to the unknowns that come with COVID-19. The rescheduling is not a problem as the FFT have made the announcement early enough, but the problem lies in the communication. It has somewhat arrogantly moved its tournament right into the middle of the hard court season, realising that many players will pick the US Open over Roland Garros – due to their preferred surfaces – but underestimating the pull of the Laver Cup to athletes. No doubt the situation will continue to develop, but the players and fellow tennis organisations finding out via the internet is not a great public relations move. Now the tennis public wait with baited breath to watch this situation develop.