Roger Federer may never come closer to the Wimbledon title. Photo / Getty
Roger Federer may never come closer to the Wimbledon title. Photo / Getty
Wimbledon has been cancelled for the first time since World War II due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The world-famous tennis tournament was due to begin on June 29, but now won't take place until next year, organisers said in a statement on Thursday.
The official announcement came after weeks of speculation the game's most iconic tournament would have to be postponed indefinitely. The German Tennis Federation even jumped the gun by declaring earlier this week that the All England Tennis Club would have to shut down.
Despite all the warning signs, the tennis world wasn't ready to lose its most prestigious event.
Roger Federer was among the first to react to the crushing blow, which leaves the 38-year-old facing the reality that he may never play at Wimbledon again.
Federer has won a record eight Wimbledon titles, and came desperately close to adding a ninth - and his 21st Grand Slam title - last year, but lost an epic fifth set 13-12 to Novak Djokovic in an incredible final.
The Swiss maestro would have been a contender once more this year, but with the tournament now cancelled, Federer would be pushing 40 by the time he has a chance to add another Wimbledon title to his resume.
Such a feat would be unprecedented, and while Federer has been overcoming the odds for years now, for even he, the prospect of another Grand Slam title is looking increasingly unlikely.
Roger Federer may never come closer to the Wimbledon title. Photo / Getty
Federer wasn't the only one ruing missing out on his chance to play at Wimbledon. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova also expressed how much she would miss competing at the "special" tournament.
"Definitely a tough one to take, with the announcement of the cancellation of Wimbledon this year," she said on Twitter.
"Not only is it a special tournament to me, but it's a tournament that has been part of history for so long that it will leave a big hole in the calendar.
"I will miss playing on the beautiful grass and wearing my whites, but of course we know it will be back better than ever next year. And maybe we will all appreciate it even more! Stay safe and stay inside."
Serena Williams wrote simply on Twitter: "I'm shocked".
She was far from alone.
Pat Cash, a former Wimbledon champion, said he was "heartbroken".
"Obviously heartbroken losing the championships at Wimbledon this year. I'm saddened as the club supports hundreds of desperate local charities with the profits," Cash posted on Twitter.
"Players are adaptable thats a strength as pros it's the small people on the fringes who are really hurting now."
American legend Billie Jean King, a six-time singles champion at Wimbledon, said the cancellation was the right decision.
"I fully understand and support the decision of the committee and it is vital we keep our focus on those most impacted by this pandemic. I have been fortunate to go to Wimbledon every year since 1961 and I am certainly going to miss it this year," she said.
"Right now, we need to make sure we are taking good care of ourselves and our loved ones. These are challenging times for all of us and now is the time for us to do what is right for our world and what works for our sport."
Members of the public who have already paid for tickets will be refunded and offered the chance to purchase tickets for next year's tournament, organisers said.
"I would like to thank all those who love Wimbledon for their understanding of these unique and unquestionably challenging circumstances," Richard Lewis, the chief executive of AELTC, said.
This year's French Open has also been postponed from May 24 to September 20, making it the last of the grand slams in the calendar year.
