French Open chief Guy Forget on Friday called the government’s order to limit attendance to a maximum of 1,000 spectators each day at the Roland Garros ‘a tough blow,’ as per AFP report.

Organisers of the French Open, which is scheduled for start on Sunday at Paris, had initially hoped for an audience cut-off of a maximum of 5,000. The figure was revised thrice from 20,000 to 11,500 and finally to 1,000. The French government instead, on Thursday, announced tougher sanctions and restrictions to curtail a resurgence of coronavirus.

“We’ve taken note of the government’s decision. We’re ready, all the players are here, but it’s true it’s a tough blow for the tournament,” AFP reported France Info quoting Guy Forget. 

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French Prime Minister Jean Castex has said that the Roland Garros must be subject to the same restrictions imposed Thursday on sporting events taking place in designated ‘red zones’ where coronavirus is showing signs of resurgence.

Jean Castex said, “We will apply the same rules at Roland Garros as elsewhere,” and added, “We go from 5,000 to 1,000.”

The 1,000 spectators cut-off does not credential holders such as officials, players, media and staff reported AFP quoting sources.

Earlier on Thursday, Guy Forget had said that he hoped that the tournament would be conducted with 5,000 fans.

“We are able to accommodate 5,000, as small as it is, on a 12-hectare area,” Forget had said.

Forget further said, “We stage the tournament on the equivalent of 15 football fields, outdoors. Everyone wears a mask, even the ball boys and girls and chair umpires.” 

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The limit of 1,000 fans a day represents less than 3% of last year’s total audience footfall of 520,000.

The US Open which was held in New York in August, had banned all spectators from the Flushing Meadows complex.

The decision by the French government will have financial repercussions, as tickets sales generate nearly 20% of tournament revenue.