Wimbledon 2020 has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers have confirmed.
The tennis tournament, due to begin on June 29, was called off completely by the All England Lawn Tennis Club on Wednesday, the first time since the Second World War.
In a statement, bosses said: “It is with great regret that the AELTC has today decided that The Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic.
“The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021.”
The possibility of holding the competition behind closed doors was deemed unviable. It comes despite postponement having been described as posing “significant risk and difficulty.”
More than half a million people descend on SW19, in southwest London, every year to see the sport’s top stars compete.
- Stay up to date with our live blog as we cover the COVID-19 pandemic
- How long are asymptomatic carriers contagious?
- Heads up: Not all your tax deadlines have been postponed
- I just got out of a COVID-19 ICU. Here’s how I made it through.
- How to make a no-sew coronavirus face mask
- Why some people might have trouble getting their coronavirus rebates payments
- What to do if you live with someone with COVID-19
- There’s a simple game that can stop a tantrum cold
- The HuffPost guide to working from home
- What coronavirus questions are on your mind right now? We want to help you find answers.
- Everyone deserves accurate information about COVID-19. Support journalism – and keep it free for everyone – by becoming a HuffPost member today.