The French Open has been delayed for a week due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will begin on May 30

The 2021 French Open has been postponed in hopes of attracting more fans. The Grand Slam tournament was postponed for a week and will now be played from May 30 to June 13. The decision is the result of France being in its third international closure in France after an increase in COVID-19 cases. French President Emmanuel Macron expects the closure to end in mid-May.

The French Tennis Federation believes that postponing the tournament was “the best solution” and allowing more fans to attend the event.

“I am pleased that the discussions we have had with the public authorities, international governing bodies of tennis, our partners and broadcasters and the work we are doing with the WTA and ATP have made it possible to postpone the 2021 Roland Garros for a week.” Gilles Moretton, President of the French Tennis Federation According to the BBC. “It will give more time to improve the health situation and the reception opportunities for Roland Garros spectators should be optimized in our newly transformed stadium, which now covers more than 30 hectares.

“The presence of the spectators is essential for the fans, the players and the atmosphere for our tournament, the most important international spring sports event.”

Along with the change in dates, the governing bodies of the ATP and WTA have said they are working “in consultation with all parties affected by the delay”. Most notably, as a result of the French Open being pushed back a week, it will now take place two weeks before the start of Wimbledon.

The French Open 2020 was postponed in the autumn of 2020, also as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the Grand Slam tournament was played, Rafael Nadal won his 13th French Open while Iga Swiatek won the women’s French Open title. In that tournament, there were only 1,000 fans at Roland Garros Stadium, witnessing the action.