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French Open organisers are taking each precaution to make sure the Grand Slam doesn’t meet the identical destiny as Novak Djokovic’s Adria Tour, which was deserted after a number of gamers examined optimistic for COVID-19, event director Guy Forget has informed Reuters.
Djokovic has come underneath hearth after the charity event was performed in entrance of packed crowds in Serbia and Croatia and noticed gamers hugging on the internet and posing for photos collectively.
Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki have all examined optimistic for the brand new coronavirus.
The French Open will enable up to 60% of the same old capability contained in the Roland Garros grounds when the rescheduled claycourt event begins on September 27 and Forget stated there was no likelihood of them repeating the errors of the Adria Tour.
“Maybe some people were overconfident there,” Forget stated by phone.
“Luckily no one got hurt really bad but even a few cases is too much and we want to avoid that as much as we can.
“We need to reassure everybody that having individuals getting ailing will be horrible for us. Let’s be actually cautious, actually cautious.”
France began easing restrictions in May but has been reporting over 500 cases daily in recent days. Protective masks will be mandatory for anyone on the move inside Roland Garros and they will be recommended for those sitting courtside.
10,000 people per day in the final weekend
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) expect some 20,000 spectators a day during the early stages of the two-week tournament and about 10,000 per day on the final weekend.
Forget said a successful event needed to have some kind of a crowd.
“We all see soccer on tv, it is fantastic however one thing is lacking with out the crowds,” the former world No. 4 said.
“We are working carefully with the administration, the federal government, to be sure we will present some crowd whereas nonetheless following very strict safety measures.”
The US Open in New York, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 31, will have no spectators and operate under strict health protocols, including limiting the size of each player’s entourage.
Forget said French Open organisers were not planning anything as strict and were even hoping to ease restrictions.
“Luckily issues are a bit extra versatile in Europe and in France, particularly,” he said. “Hopefully, what we’re going to announce will most likely be much more versatile than what we did.”
Of course, we’ll make people unhappy: Forget
The FFT drew heavy criticism in mid-March when it unilaterally moved the French Open to September from its scheduled May start amid the COVID-19 crisis, placing it in the middle of the hardcourt season.
Forget said he understood why some were unhappy about it but thought saving one of the most prestigious and lucrative tournaments in tennis was worth it.
“We’re not going to have a good time or congratulate ourselves for the choice we took,” the 55-year-old said.
“We thought it is a danger value taking. Of course we’ll make individuals sad.
“But in mid-October, if we’re able to come together and we’ve been able to provide revenue for 600 people, I think we will be very satisfied as a federation and I as a former player.”
Forget was fairly assured the event would be successful however wouldn’t loosen up till after the lads’s ultimate on Oct. 11.
“I don’t want to shout ‘victory’ before the tournament actually happens,” Forget stated.
“As the tournament director I’ll only be happy once the men’s winner shakes the hand of the finalist.
“We will all collectively be in a position to say, we did it.”
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