Paris: Canadian star Milos Raonic and Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic have pulled out of the 2020 French Open, organisers said on Thursday (September 24). The tournament traditionally held in late May-June, but due to COVID 19 pandemic is scheduled to start on Sunday (September 27).
Earlier Raonic expressed his concerns regarding the expected crowds in the tournament amid the pandemic situation in Paris. “The only thing that is of some concern to me is that it’s going to be 20,000 fans,” Raonic said during the US Open. “That to me is the biggest concern, especially seeing with the spikes that are going on throughout France right now.”
Meanwhile, world no.10 Bencic was knocked out in straight sets in her first match in Rome. Bencic’s withdrawal leaves only six of the top 10 ranked women’s players to compete at the French Open. Defending champion Ashleigh Barty of Australia, US Open champion Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu of Canada are skipping the tournament.
