Wimbledon canceled for first time since World War II due to coronavirus outbreak in UK

The most important Grand Slam tournament of the year is officially off the tennis calendar. 

In a move that had been signaled strongly over the last week, the All England Club canceled Wimbledon for 2020, citing the "likely trajectory" of the coronavirus outbreak in the United Kingdom and the logistical impossibility of setting up the event at a point later in the summer. 

It will be the first time Wimbledon, which was scheduled to begin June 29, hasn't crowned a champion since the tournament paused between 1940 and 1945 due to World War II.

“This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the well-being of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen,” All England Club chairman Ian Hewitt said.

“It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year’s Championships, and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon’s resources to help those in our local communities and beyond.”

In explaining the decision, the club noted that government restrictions on mass gatherings, movement and travel would impact infrastructure preparations for the tournament. The prep work typically begins in April. 

“With the likelihood that the Government’s measures will continue for many months, it is our view that we must act responsibly to protect the large numbers of people required to prepare The Championships from being at risk -- from the training of ball boys and girls to thousands of officials, line judges, stewards, players, suppliers, media and contractors who convene on the (Wimbledon) grounds -- and equally to consider that the people, supplies and services legally required to stage The Championships would not be available at any point this summer, thus ruling out postponement.” 

The French tennis federation moved the French Open from May to Sept. 20, but it wasn't possible for Wimbledon to stage the tournament this fall because of the particular nature of the grass surface.

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Wimbledon coming off the schedule means the professional tennis tours are unlikely to resume in any form until at least July.

This year’s Wimbledon was expected to be particularly important in the career Grand Slam race as Roger Federer, the all-time leader with 20, turns 39 later this year. Wimbledon is his best chance to add one more title and hold off Rafael Nadal (19 majors) and Novak Djokovic (17).