Title holder Ashleigh Barty gives up Roland-Garros

An image that we will not see this year: Ashleigh Barty during her victory at Roland Garros on June 8, 2019. -

Ashleigh Barty will not return the balls to Parisian clay at the end of the month to defend her title.

The world tennis number one announced on Tuesday that she was giving up playing the Roland Garros tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision is not completely a surprise.

The player is not already participating at the moment, and for the same reasons, in the US Open.

It has been a difficult decision to make but unfortunately I will not be competing in Europe this year.

Last year's French Open was the most special tournament of my career so this is not a decision I have made… https://t.co/Tyh2yKEHxV

- Ash Barty (@ashbarty) September 8, 2020

Far from his coach

"The French Open last year was the most special tournament of my career, and it is not a decision that I took lightly," said the 24-year-old Australian player, who won in Paris in 2019. “There are two reasons for my decision: the first is the health risks that still exist because of the Covid.

The second is my preparation, which was not ideal when my coach was unable to train with me because of the border closures in Australia, ”she added.

Roland-Garros, exceptionally rescheduled in the fall, from September 27 to October 11, due to the Covid-19, must accommodate a reduced number of spectators.

Players must stay in two hotels located near the tournament venue, which will be reserved for them almost exclusively.

Sport

Tonnage reduced to 11,500 people and (all) the players staying at the hotel, here is the Roland-Garros health protocol

Sport

Djokovic disqualified from US Open for (unintentionally) throwing ball at linesman

• Flat rate

• Roland Garros

• Coronavirus

• Paris

• Tennis

• Sport