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Paris – Spectators will be able to attend Roland Garros this month despite the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country, organizers announced on Monday.
They unveiled the Grand Slam’s clay-court fitness protocols, which will take place at Roland Garros in western Paris from 27 September after being postponed from its inception in May due to the pandemic.
“Since the circuit restart, Roland Garros will be the first tournament to have the privilege of welcoming an audience,” said French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli.
Serena Williams and Maria Sakkari, after their match at the US Open on Monday without spectators, wondered how the French can open the doors to fans, but players will have to be in a bubble. The French restrict players to two hotels.
“If there are fans, then we can stay somewhere else,” Williams said. “Yes, it’s attractive because there’s no personal accommodation, but there are fans. “
Williams agreed with the presence of the fans, but sought to know more about Roland Garros organizers about “how we will be protected. “
Sakkari agreed.
“Have enthusiasts and have us in a bubble? It doesn’t make sense to me,” Sakkari said. “For me, it was a shocking announcement to have enthusiasts. “
According to the latest government directives restricting attendance to 5,000 other people in regions such as Paris, the federation has revised its plans down.
The federation sought to accommodate 50-60% of its capacity, the equivalent of about 20,000 enthusiasts depending on the day. Instead, Roland Garros will be divided into 3 areas founded in the 3 main courts, with 5,000 more people for Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen Courts. The doleading surrounding the third largest court will hold up to 1,500 spectators depending on the day.
The use of the mask will be mandatory, while all accredited in the tournament must pass antivirus tests to be admitted to the Roland Garros bubble.
Tournament director Guy Forget said all players will be monitored when they arrive in the French capital, can play if they back down negative control and will go through a moment of control 72 hours later. five days as long as they remain in the draw, having to stay in the two hotels booked through the organization.
The organizers also to give more cash to the first losers, in a gesture of solidarity with the players most economically affected by the crisis.
“The cash prize for the first circular losers will increase by 30% up to last year to 60,000 euros ($71,000),” they said in a statement. “A significant effort has also been made in the rankings, with an allocation of up to 27% for 2019. Losers on the first qualifying circular will get a check for $10,000 ($11,800)”.
The French authorities have shown more than 30,000 COVID-19 deaths, while the number of new cases exceeded 8,000 last Friday.
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