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Wimbledon 2020 cancellation a big jolt for sports: Aisam

  • April 03, 2020

Wimbledon 2020 cancellation a big jolt for sports: Aisam

ISLAMABAD: Aisamul Haq Qureshi termed the cancellation of 2020 Wimbledon as a big setback to the tennis world, saying for the grass courts events, options are always limited.

In an exclusive interview with The News, one the active and successful double players at international circuit, Aisam said All England Lawn Tennis Club had very little options at their disposal while deciding the fate of 220 Wimbledon. “Look when it comes to playing on grass courts you hardly get a few months because of the nature of the surface. Grass in England stays in best of shape for tennis for a few months only. So there was very little chances of readjusting the event for winters or later in the year. French Open organizers have already put off the event well after the US Open that is mainly because of clay. You can play on clay any time around the year but on grass in England you cannot delay event for a longer period.

A few weeks adjustment is a possibility but not for a longer period. Though it is a very painful outcome especially for active players and fans who all year long wait desperately for the event to start, it was something inevitable considering the prevailing situation. After all protecting the health and wellbeing of all those connected should be and is the top priority.” Aisam said that unlike cricket and other sports that are confined to some countries and regions, tennis is a game played and watched throughout the world.

Wimbledon has been cancelled for the first time since World War II because of coronavirus pandemic. The tournament was due to be played between 29 June and 12 July. In fact the entire grass-court season has been abandoned, and there will be no professional tennis anywhere in the world until at least 13 July. Aisam said like him many others top ranked singles and doubles tennis players had been inactive for the last two months now as there had been no circuit events. “Everyone now days has been restricted to his home and that is the case with all international tennis players who stay active throughout the year. We miss the circuit a lot as activity keeps you fit, agile and makes you even better. We don’t know as far how long we would stay inactive. I can only pray to Almighty Allah to help world get normal.”

When questioned whether he had been doing his workout at home. “When you have no other option you do what you can most while staying at home. Every active player and athlete is doing so and I am no exception. But I miss court training a lot. The competition at the court is what tennis is all about.”

Article source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/638430-wimbledon-2020-cancellation-a-big-jolt-for-sports-aisam

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