FFT President to Gael Monfils: French Open will take place in 2020 so you can win it

French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli has confirmed to top-ranked Frenchman Gael Monfils that the French Open will take place this year.

The French Open was moved from its traditional late-May and early-June start to a new date as the tournament is now set to take place from September 20 - October 4. 

The French Tennis Federation is keen on hosting Roland Garros this year and avoiding a major financial loss. 

"Yes, I can confirm Roland Garros will take place. We are organizing Roland Garros so that you can win it, Gael," Giudicelli told Monfils. 

Bernard Giudicelli in interview with Gael Monfils: "Yes, I can confirm Roland Garros will take place. We are organizing Roland Garros so that you can win it, Gael."https://t.co/CGBelvR94J

— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) June 1, 2020

The season has been suspended since mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak and there won't be any Tour events until at least early-August. 

While the tours were still suspended through the end of April, the French Tennis Federation decided to react quickly and reschedule the French Open for a September start. 

However, there is a chance the French Open will be pushed back for another week and start on September 27. 

The US Open is still scheduled to take place from August 31 - September 13. 

Gael Monfils dreams of winning the French Open 

Monfils, 33, enjoyed big Grand Slam success during his junior days but he never lived up to the big expectarions and became a multiple Grand Slam champion as a professional. 

Though 33 years old, the Frenchman still hopes he will manage to put up a major fortnight at a Grand Slam event and win a maiden Major title before he retires. 

Monfils' best result at the French Open came in 2008, when he made the semifinal before falling in four sets to record 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.

A bit disappointingly, 10-time ATP champion Monfils made quarterfinals on three separate occasions since 2008 but lost on each occasion. 

It remains to be seen if world No. 9 Gael Monfils can achieve his biggest dream and win a French Open title before he calls it a career.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3cy17An