INTERVIEW
Roland-Garros should have started this weekend, but the coronavirus pandemic forced the Parisian tournament to, at best, delay its kick-off. The preferred option remains, for the moment, a start in the fall. Guy Forget, the director of Roland-Garros, confirmed it on Europe 1 on Saturday. "The official announcement has not yet been made. It will probably be between the end of September and the beginning of October," said the former tennis player. . "We are working very closely with ATP, the WTA and the International Federation to make a global announcement of what the circuit will be by the end of the year," said Guy Forget.
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The need to get along with the US Open
Several options remain on the table, "including the one announced (by the French Tennis Federation) with qualifications on September 20 and the tournament the following two weeks". "It is a bit premature to announce it now, but it will be between September 20 and 27," said Guy Forget.
Roland-Garros must indeed agree with the US Open, another Grand Slam which has for the moment maintained its dates from August 30 to September 13. "There are so many question marks. New York City is even more affected by coronavirus than France. They too have big organizational problems, they will make an announcement around mid-June to say how the US Open will present itself, "adds Guy Forget.
The director of Roland-Garros certifies that the tennis authorities "work hard to allow the players to be able to live from their profession", while a certain cacophony has reigned on the circuit in recent weeks.
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Guy Forget wishes to "welcome as many people as possible"
Guy Forget however refuses to endorse a Roland-Garros behind closed doors. The director of the Parisian tournament indeed wants "to welcome as many people as possible, since the fans want to see the best players in the world". But he concedes to be "obliged to evoke all possible options", including that of playing without an audience.
"Today, the signals are going in the right direction, with a reopening of shops. We can think that this will also be the case for restaurants and bars in the coming weeks. Now, we do not know what will happen spend a month or two. We will adapt to what the government tells us. We have to be ambitious and optimistic, "he wants to believe. "We hope that Roland-Garros will take place, and in good conditions."