Women’s world number one Ashleigh Barty said her fellow players should be happy to be playing at Wimbledon this summer, despite the COVID-19 restrictions set to be imposed on players at the event.
The tournament was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but tournament organisers have been working tirelessly to ensure play can resume at SW19 this summer.
However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still a major factor in international travel and mass gatherings, this year’s Wimbledon Championships are set to require players to remain inside a COVID-safe bubble throughout the duration of their involvement in the tournament.
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“It would be a shame to not be able to play that incredible tournament.
“I think as players, but certainly from my point of view, we do the right thing, we do what we have to do to enjoy the fact we get to play at Wimbledon.”
It’s not fully clear how many fans will be allowed to be in the stands to watch the action, but organisers are planning for 25 per cent capacity crowds at the event, with government guidelines potentially easing, or tightening, those plans depending on how the COVID infection rates fluctuate during the early summer months.
“Hopefully then people are able to enjoy it with us,” said Barty.
“There may be some crowds. I haven’t heard of what the plan of kind of easing of restrictions are there, so I’m not sure what the plan is.
“We’re still a couple of months away yet. Hopefully in the UK things can settle down, and some sort of normality outside would be brilliant for everyone.
