The 2020 Wimbledon Championships have been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the All England Club announced Wednesday.
The decision against playing the tournament marks the first time that Wimbledon had been canceled since World War II in 1945.
Wimbledon had been slated to be contested between June 29-July 12.
“It is with great regret that the Main Board of the All England Club (AELTC) and the Committee of Management of The Championships have today decided that The Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic,” Wimbledon said in a statement on its website.
“Uppermost in our mind has been the health and safety of all of those who come together to make Wimbledon happen — the public in the UK and visitors from around the world, our players, guests, members, staff, volunteers, partners, contractors, and local residents — as well as our broader responsibility to society’s efforts to tackle this global challenge to our way of life.”
Next year’s event will be held from June 28-July 11, 2021.
It is with great regret that the AELTC has today decided that The Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic.
The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021.https://t.co/c0QV2ymGAt
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) April 1, 2020
–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)
