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French Open rescheduled over coronavirus concerns
Roland Garros, Tennis News

Frenchman Jeremy Chardy brands Roland Garros coronavirus decision as ‘a dangerous mistake’


Jeremy Chardy has blasted the French Open for their land-grab of the tennis schedules due to the coronavirus crisis.

Roland Garros chiefs stunned the rest of tennis last week by unilaterally deciding the tournament would now take place in September.

Apparently, only Rafael Nadal was consulted before the decision was taken, and a spate of players and tournaments, including the US Open and the Laver Cup, have criticised the way in which it was done.

Now those criticism have come home to France as well, with Chardy branding the actions of his home Grand Slam as ‘dangerous’.

“Yes, I’m obviously happy that Roland-Garros is being organised. For us French players, it is the most beautiful tournament.

“But on Tuesday, I didn’t know anyone in the tennis world was aware of this decision – And it’s shocking, and dangerous for the Tour.

“If everyone does like Roland-Garros, it is anarchy.

“For me it is a mistake, a very risky move, that of not consulting the ATP, the other Grand Slams, the tournament directors and the players.”

It has certainly caused a whole host of controversy within tennis, particularly against the backdrop of a global ‘in it together’ message to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

One unnamed played went so far as saying the tournament may never shake the consequences of the decision.

“[The French Open] asked for forgiveness, not permission,” the ‘top ATP player’ told journalist Jon Wertheim last week.

“Because they knew they wouldn’t get permission. But I’m not sure they’ll get forgiveness either.”


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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.