Lodon | Wimbledon stand firm

Japan has been reluctant to postpone the Olympics but finally wilted under the pressure of many countries threatening to boycott Tokyo and the continuing growth of the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, the Olympics and Paralympics will now be stage next year before the end of the 2021 summer.

Meanwhile the AELTC continues to maintain that Wimbledon will go on as scheduled on June 29, though officials continue to monitor events and will abide by Government rules.

There have been suggestions that Wimbledon should delay and take up the now vacant Olympics slot, but officials point out that the rescheduling would create too big an upheaval for them to consider at present.

So far the ATP, WTA and ITF have not altered their hopes that the tour will resume on June 9 with the grass court season.

Jo Konta, who appeared last night on The Great Celebrity Bake Off in aid of Cancer Research, was ‘hopeful’ The Championships would proceed as scheduled, but remained positive that whatever happens, she and her fellow competitors would do whatever comes next.

In contrast, Novak Djokovic is prepared to see the Tours cancelled for the year while Rafa Nadal believes the season should restart with the postponed French Open on September 20.