AELTC provides update on 2021 Wimbledon

• Tennis News
• ATP Tennis

The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club has confirmed that it is keeping its options open for the 2021 Wimbledon edition as the event could be staged in full capacity, with a limited number of fans or even without the closed doors.

When it became obvious there would be no way for the season to restart in July, the AELTC announced the cancelation of Wimbledon. It was the first time since 1945 that The Championships didn't take place in a calendar year.

"The AELTC is pleased to provide an update on The Championships 2021. We are actively engaged in planning for next year’s Championships and are considering multiple operational scenarios at this point in time, given that there are still many months until the Wimbledon Fortnight," the AELTC statement read.

"These scenarios fall into three broad categories: a full capacity Championships, a reduced capacity Championships, and a ‘behind closed doors’ Championships, all of which are dependent on the status of government and public health guidelines.

Our overriding priority will continue to be the health and safety of all of our stakeholders, in particular our guests, our staff, and our competitors. We are working closely with the relevant government and public health authorities, alongside the rest of the sports industry, to understand the varying challenges and opportunities presented by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic."

Staging Wimbledon next year the main goal

Chairman Ian Hewitt has said that the AELTC has done a lot of positive things in recent months and now their main goal is to proceed with Wimbledon next year.

"Since the cancellation of The Championships 2020, we have worked hard to make a difference to those in our local community and beyond as the coronavirus continues to have a significant impact on people’s lives. As the winter period begins, we are pleased to be extending our hot meals programme to continue to help those in need locally for the challenging months ahead.

We are committed to using the collective strength of Wimbledon – all the many facets of the Club, The Championships and our Foundation – to play our part," AELTC Chairman Hewitt said. "We are particularly delighted to see the 2020 towels being put to good use across such a variety of incredibly important causes.

Staging The Championships in 2021 is of the utmost importance to us – for our competitors, our fans, our Members, our partners – and it will also to enable us to continue to support our communities near and far”.