No April Fools: Wimbledon, All Major Tennis Canceled Through July 13

Posted on: April 1, 2020, 10:41h. 

Last updated on: April 1, 2020, 10:56h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The Wimbledon Championships have been canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, as have all ATP and WTA tennis tournaments through July 13. Wimbledon was scheduled to run June 29 to July 12.

Wimbledon Championships coronavirus cancel
The green grass at Wimbledon won’t turn brown this year from play. (Image: Peter Nicholls/Reuters)

The All England Club confirmed on April 1 what many expected: the ongoing health crisis is rendering its hosting of the most prestigious and oldest tennis tournament in the world unreasonable.

Uppermost in our mind has been the health and safety of all of those who come together to make Wimbledon happen – the public in the UK and visitors from around the world, our players, guests, members, staff, volunteers, partners, contractors, and local residents – as well as our broader responsibility to society’s efforts to tackle this global challenge to our way of life,” a club statement read.

Wimbledon officials said its annual preparations begin this month for the summer championships, and that ongoing government restrictions have blocked such operations.

For what it’s worth (we are Casino.org), Novak Djokovic was the Wimbledon favorite at 3/2, followed by Roger Federer (4/1), and Rafael Nadal (9/2). On the women’s side, Serena Williams was the favorite at (7/1), followed by Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep at 8/1.

Wimbledon Diversity

The World Health Organization (WHO) said, as of March 31, there were 750,890 confirmed and reported cases of the coronavirus. The disease has resulted in 36,405 deaths.

Wimbledon brings a diverse field to the All England Club each year. During the 2019 championships, nearly 70 countries were represented. The United States accounted for 108 players, the United Kingdom next at 89.

The US has the most reported positive cases at 140,640. The UK has 22,145 cases.

The Wimbledon statement concluded, “With the likelihood that the Government’s measures will continue for many months, it is our view that we must act responsibly to protect the large numbers of people required to prepare The Championships from being at risk – from the training of ball boys and girls to thousands of officials, line judges, stewards, players, suppliers, media and contractors who convene on the AELTC Grounds – and, equally, to consider that the people, supplies, and services legally required to stage The Championships would not be available at any point this summer, thus ruling out postponement.”

What Now?

The Wimbledon cancellation comes two weeks after The French Open, originally scheduled to be played May 24 to June 7, was being postponed to September 20 to October 4.

It is the first time since World War II that Wimbledon has been canceled, and the first time in its history, which dates back to 1877, that it will not be played during peacetime.

With no major professional tennis to bet on for at least the next three and a half months, IMG Arena and ATP Tour’s virtual tennis betting product announced this week is all the more timely. The simulated games will be distributed to online bookmakers, the goal being to keep tennis fans and sports bettors entertained during the worldwide sports prohibition.