Roger Federer ‘devastated’ as Wimbledon is cancelled due to coronavirus crisis

Roger Federer is ‘devastated’ after it was announced that Wimbledon has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus crisis, the first time the event has been cancelled since World War II.

Huge swathes of sport across the globe have been postponed or cancelled as the coronavirus outbreak continues, but there had been hope that Wimbledon, scheduled to start on 29 June, would go ahead.

However, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon that the London tournament has been cancelled for 2020 and will not return until next year.

The eight-times champion simply tweeted one word after the announcement was made: ‘Devastated.’

Before the announcement was made, former British number one Annabel Croft stated her belief that cancellation would be bad news for ageing legends Federer and Serena Williams.

‘How many more times can Roger Federer realistically try to win Wimbledon?’ Croft questioned. ‘And if the French Open does take place later in the year, that benefits Nadal more than anybody potentially.

‘And then you look at Serena and her best chance to win another Slam is on the grass courts at Wimbledon so that affects her as well. She is now 38 and has started a family.’

An All England Club statement on Wednesday confirmed: ‘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.

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‘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.