Prudent Wimbledon should withstand cost of cancellation

Forced to cancel Wimbledon for the first time since World War II on Wednesday, All England Club chiefs can at least breathe a sigh of relief that the chaos caused by the coronavirus should not take a heavy toll on their finances.

The historic decision to write off the world's most famous tennis tournament due to the pandemic left eight-time champion Roger Federer "devastated" and seven-time winner Serena Williams shocked and shaken.

Yet, the tennis world agreed it was the right move at a time when the health services are under unbearable strain and countries across the globe are in lockdown.

Wimbledon, which had been scheduled between June 29 and July 12, should return in 2021 once the virus is controlled, leaving the club hierarchy to focus on dealing with the financial fall-out from cancelling the 134th Championships.

French Open bosses this week admitted their tournament could face losses of ?230 million (USD 284 million) if it is not played this year.

The clay-court event has been moved to late September from its original start date in late May.

In contrast, Wimbledon should be shielded from the worst effects of cancellation.

The All England Club had the foresight to take out extensive insurance which will protect it from the kind of huge losses potentially faced by Roland Garros.

One senior figure at the All England Club told the Daily Mail the cost of the insurance was "around the low seven figures".

That will prove good value, if it can guard Wimbledon from long-term damage.

- Firm footing -
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