FFT official confident French Open will be staged with fans in attendance

French Tennis Federation General Treasurer Hughes Cavallin is confident that the French Open will be staged this year as the situation is getting better and better. 

On March 17, the French Tennis Federation moved the French Open from its traditional late-May and early-June date to a late September start. 

The French Open organizers are now aiming to stage the tournament from September 20 - October 4 but there is a chance the Major will be pushed back for a September 27 start. 

"The scenario is getting more and more optimistic”, Cavallin exclusively told Tennis Majors. “Let me give you an example: if the Government goes ahead with organising municipal elections in June, I don’t see why we couldn’t put people in the stadium then.”

The French Tennis Federation asked for a loan and staging the event and not losing a huge amount of money is something they need.

The French Tennis Federation isn't even thinking anymore about staging the event behind the closed doors 

The French Tennis Federation will do everything possible to stage the French Open this year and the had been talks of organizing the event behind the closed doors. 

But Cavallin says since the situation is becoming better, they are not even talking about staging the event without fans anymore as they are aiming to bring in at least some number of fans. 

"There’s no reason why we couldn’t ask for it. Usually, lots of money is coming in for us at this time but right now there’s nothing so it means we will have a gap in cash flow. And so we’re asking for that loan so we can get over this without endangering the foundations of the Federation.

"It should also be noted that Roland-Garros benefits the whole city of Paris and the local neighbourhood to make money (hotels, restaurants, shops): they earn 270 million euros thanks to the tournament. Everything is tied together so we must continue to help. It’s at times like these that we all need to stand united.”

The French Tennis Federation profited €261 million out of Roland Garros last year.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2ZLtyrU