French Open to be played behind closed doors an option

PARIS - Bernard Giudicelli, the president of the French Tennis Federation (FFT), says holding the French Open without fans later this year is an option.

Giudicelli tells French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche that "organizing it without fans would allow a part of the economy to keep turning, (like) television rights and partnerships. It's not to be overlooked. We are not ruling any option out".

The clay-court Grand Slam tournament at Roland Garros was scheduled to be held May 24-June 7, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rescheduled for Sept 20-Oct 4.

The FFT has been refunding all tickets purchased for the original dates of Roland Garros by the end of May and a new ticketing procedure will be opened if the tournament goes ahead.