2020 Laver Cup: Exhibition Tournament Called Off Due To French Open Switch

The 2020 Laver Cup has been called off and will return next year due to the clash of dates with the French Open.

Organisers cancelled the exhibition event which was scheduled for September after the French Tennis Federation unilaterally switched the claycourt Grand Slam tournament to 20 September – 4 October from its May start due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The new Roland Garros dates clashed with the 25-27 September Laver Cup, which is a team event co-created by Roger Federer and featuring the best of Europe against a World team.

The fourth edition of the tournament will now be held from 24-26 September in 2021 at the TD Garden in Boston.

“It’s unfortunate that the Laver Cup has to be pushed back a year, but at this stage it’s the right thing to do for everyone concerned,” Federer said in a statement from the organisers.

“Although disappointing, the good news is that TD Garden will still be able to host the event next year and I really look forward to finally playing in Boston for the first time at Laver Cup 2021.”

Organisers said the tickets purchased for the 2020 Laver Cup will be valid next year or fans can receive a full refund.

The men’s ATP Tour and the WTA, which runs the women’s circuit, suspended all tournaments until mid-July after countries started locking down borders to contain the spread of the flu-like virus which has infected over two million people.

The grasscourt Grand Slam at Wimbledon has been cancelled while the French Open’s new slot means the tournament will start a week after the U.S. Open takes place on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows in New York.

In recent weeks tennis governing bodies have discussed the scheduling logjam with little clarity on when the sport can restart.