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Roland-Garros to welcome 11,500 a day despite COVID-19 concerns

French Open organisers have confirmed that 11,500 fans a day will be allowed through the gates of...



Roland-Garros to welcome 11,50...
Other Sports

Roland-Garros to welcome 11,500 a day despite COVID-19 concerns

French Open organisers have confirmed that 11,500 fans a day will be allowed through the gates of Roland-Garros. 

The clay court Grand Slam was due to be played from late-May, but will instead begin on September 27 in Paris.

The qualifiers will be played behind closed doors.

Back in July, the hope was the up to 20,000 fans would be allowed inside Roland-Garros but a more conservative tally has prevailed.

The complex will be divided up into three zones, with 5,000 people each allowed for the Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen courts. Capacity for the outside courts is capped at 1,500.

Tournament director Guy Forget says all players will be tested upon their arrival into Paris.

COVID-19 has seen an upsurge in France in recent days. Last Friday saw 8,975 new cases confirmed, with 8,550 on Saturday and 7,701 on Sunday.

"We want our tournament to be truly remarkable and to set an example," French Tennis Federation director general Jean-François Vilotte said on Monday.

"By setting an example with our tournament, we hope to prove that we can get the economy back on track, though it goes without saying that certain conditions and certain restrictions must be respected."

Vilotte added, "As the organisers of this sporting event – which is, along with the Tour de France, the most important regular international sporting event to be held in France – we have a responsibility in terms of employment, economic activity, the reputation of the City of Paris and the Greater Paris region, and, more generally, the events-based economy.

"From this point of view, the 2020 tournament is not just a sporting event, it is also proof that, even in the current climate, we have the human resources and the expertise, in the field of sporting events, to organise an event of this scale while doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all people involved."

The French Open is set to have a stronger field than the US Open, with many European-based stars who opted against travelling to the US included in the field.

Rafa Nadal heads the list of entries for the men's singles, while Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep, Elina Svitolina, Bianca Andreescu and Kiki Bertens - all absent at Flushing Meadows - are listed in the women's singles.

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Coronavirus Covid-19 French Open Roland Garros Tennis US Open