Wimbledon bosses reveal they are still planning for having NO fans at the tournament

Wimbledon chiefs are hoping to have full capacity this summer after the Prime Minister announced that they could allow spectators back.

The prestigious tennis event is set to begin in south west London on June 28 and conclude on July 11.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stated that spectators could return to the stands as early as May 17, and be at full capacity by June 21.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club has welcomed this development, but admit that they must remain ‘cautious’ despite the early success of the UK’s vaccination efforts. 

In a statement, they said: ‘We welcome the government’s announcements today and we look forward to continuing to work with them and the rest of sport with the ambition of welcoming spectators safely to our events this summer. 

‘We will continue to plan based on our aspiration of staging the best Championships possible with the health and safety of all our guests, staff and competitors remaining our highest priority. 

‘We remain focused on developing our plans within the scenarios of full, reduced and no public capacity so that we can remain as agile and flexible as possible to the government and public health situation. 

‘While the success of the ongoing vaccination programme is very heartening, we recognise the need for a cautious approach at this point in time.’ 

Amid the early stages of the coronavirus crisis in the United Kingdom, the AELTC acted quickly in cancelling last year’s tournament and stated that 134th instalment of the Championships would be pushed one year back. 

Tennis, like many other sports, has adapted to the current climate over the past 12 months and returned for the new ATP season, as well as the Australian Open last weekend.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to claim his first Grand Slam of the year while Naomi Osaka reigned supreme in the women’s singles. 

Speaking in the Commons today, Prime Minister Johnson revealed plans for a cautious return of supporters to attend top level sport in time for the last round of Premier League fixtures, the European Championships, Wimbledon and the Rugby League World Cup, among other stellar events in the nation’s summer of sport.

The Government’s roadmap to easing lockdown restrictions sets out four key steps.

The document reveals that fans will return to stadiums and indoor arenas in Step Three from May 17 with increases in Step Four, which commences from June 21, at the earliest.

The news means June 21 is the earliest date from which there can be full capacity crowds at the nation’s sporting venues, depending on the preceding steps being successfully concluded and on scientists being assured it is safe to go ahead.