The world of tennis has been put on hold as the sport continues to be gripped by the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2020 calendar has been halted with no action since the beginning of March.

Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin claimed glory at the year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, in January but the other Majors are in major doubt.

The world tours are on hiatus and there are many questions to be asked.

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When will tennis return?

It was announced on April 1, that the ATP and WTA Tours will remain suspended until July 13 due to the coronavirus.

All tournaments originally scheduled to be held in April, May and June have been cancelled.

Play is currently slated to restart at the Hamburg European Open starting from July 13.

But the situation is clearly changing day-by-day and this may have to be altered.

Indian Wells, the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Madrid Open, The Halle Open and Queen’s are among the tournaments to have been suspended.

What about the Grand Slams?

The 2020 Australian Open has already been held but major question marks remain over this year’s other three Grand Slams.

It was confirmed on April 1 that the 134th edition of Wimbledon has been cancelled completely this year.

The French Open, originally planned for May 25 to June 1, has been postponed until September.

The US Open is currently still slated to go ahead as planned between August 31 and September 7 but this could well be changed too.

Why was Wimbledon cancelled?

The All-England club cancelled this year’s Wimbledon after an emergency board meeting earlier this month.

This will be the first time it hasn’t be held since World War II.

The All England Club said in a statement: “It is with great regret that the AELTC has today decided that The Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic.

“Uppermost in our mind has been the health and safety of all of those who come together to make Wimbledon happen – the public in the UK and visitors from around the world, our players, guests, members, staff, volunteers, partners, contractors, and local residents – as well as our broader responsibility to society’s efforts to tackle this global challenge to our way of life.

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A post shared by Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) on Apr 9, 2020 at 11:35am PDT

“Since the emergence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in January, we have followed guidance from the UK Government and public health authorities in relation to our year-round operations, alongside developing an understanding of the likely trajectory of the outbreak in the UK.

“With the likelihood that the Government’s measures will continue for many months, it is our view that we must act responsibly to protect the large numbers of people required to prepare The Championships from being at risk.

“From the training of ball boys and girls to thousands of officials, line judges, stewards, players, suppliers, media and contractors who convene on the AELTC Grounds – and equally to consider that the people, supplies and services legally required to stage The Championships would not be available at any point this summer, thus ruling out postponement.”

The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021.

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What have the stars said?

British superstar Andy Murray, who had been hoping to make his comeback from injury at Wimbledon, said: “I’m sure all tennis players want to get back to playing and competing as soon as possible. But right now that’s just not the most important thing.

“We want, first of all, just to get our normal lives back.

“Just being able to go out and go see friends and go to restaurants and just have the normal freedoms that you have and then hopefully over time things will start to allow for traveling and then hopefully sport.

“The first thing is to try to find a way to stop the virus spreading and then once we’ve done that, we’ll be able to do more normal things that everybody does rather than thinking about competing at sport.

“A lot of people want to watch sport again, so obviously the athletes and the players would love to be competing and lots of people love to watch sport because it’s entertaining and it’s something that lots and lots of people enjoy.

“When you don’t get to see it for a while, then people realise maybe how much they love playing it and how much they enjoy watching it.

“But just because it’s difficult to not have sport just now doesn’t mean that we have to speed things up… let’s just focus on getting our normal lives back first and hopefully all of the countries can sort out the virus properly.”

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Source: TalkSport.com Tennis

The new Formula One season is yet to get under way as the sport battles the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton won his sixth F1 Championship last season, claiming glory in 11 races to romp to the title.

But the defence of his crown has been put on hold as the world of racing tries to deal with the virus.

The 2020 campaign was supposed to start on March 15 with the Australian Grand Prix but that had to be cancelled and no action has taken place since.

There are plenty of questions surrounding the sport and when it will finally get going.

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What races have been cancelled?

Three races have been cancelled so far – the Australian Grand Prix, the Monaco Grand Prix and the French Grand Prix.

A further seven races have had to be postponed in Bahrain, Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Spain, Azerbaijan and Canada.

There has been no news as to when the postponed races could be held as of yet.

When could the new season begin?

As it stands, the season is scheduled to get under way with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5.

The remaining 12 races this season, including the British Grand Prix, are still set to go ahead as planned.

The F1 organisers are considering a host of options of how best to complete the 2020 season.

That could see races rescheduled to fit the curtailed calendar or the likes of Silverstone even hosting more than one GP.

It remains to be seen if racing can begin in Austria or if this will need to be changed and it is also expected that some races will be held without fans.

The F1 said in the statement: “In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation Formula 1 has announced a number of race postponements in the interests of safety for our fans, the communities we visit and the F1 community. As stated recently our intention is to start the 2020 season at some point this summer.

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Formula 1: 2020 season could include TWO British Grands Prix with campaign to begin in Austria on first weekend in July

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“At this time no-one can be certain of exactly when the situation will improve, but when it does, we will be ready to go racing again. We are all committed to bringing our fans a 2020 championship season.

“Formula 1 is currently working with our promoters on a revised 2020 calendar with the actual sequence and schedule dates for races likely to differ significantly from our original 2020 calendar. This will be published in due course.

“As previously announced we will utilise the summer break being brought forward to March/April to race during the normal summer break period, and anticipate the season end date will extend beyond our original end date of 27-29th November.”

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I miss racing everyday. This is the first time since I was 8 that I haven’t started a season. When you live and breath something you love, when it’s gone there’s definitely a big void. But there’s always positives to take from these times. Right now, we all have time in the world to reflect on life, our decisions, our goals, the people we have around us, our careers. Today, we see clearer skies all over the world, less animals being slaughtered for our pleasure simply because our demands are much lower and everyone staying in. Let’s not come back the same as we went into this tough time, let’s come out of it with better knowledge of our world, changing our personal choices and habits. Let’s come out of this as a new us, a new reinvigorated you, fitter, healthier and more focused but above all, kinder, more generous and gracious and caring for our world and the people in it. I hope we all do. #wecandothis #together #oneworld #wewinandwelosetogether

A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) on Apr 27, 2020 at 6:16am PDT

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What has been said?

Formula 1 boss Chase Carey said: “I am increasingly confident with the progress of plans to begin the season this summer.

“September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December, with Bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15 and 18 races. We will publish our finalised calendar as soon as we possibly can.

“We expect the early races to be without fans but hope fans will be part of our events as we move further into the schedule.

“We still have to work out many issues, like the procedures for the teams and our other partners to enter and operate in each country.

“The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority one and we will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues.”

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Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport

The 2020 Formula 1 season is pencilled in to begin at the start of July – with TWO British Grands Prix lined up to take place.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the 2020 campaign will be a truncated one, with the French GP on Monday becoming the 10th race of the season to be postponed or cancelled.

The Austrian GP on July 5 is now the first event on a 12-race calendar, and F1 chiefs hope to begin the season at the Red Bull Ring on the scheduled date.

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Two weeks later Silverstone will host the British GP, though no fans will be allowed at Silverstone if the race goes ahead as planned.

“I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we are unable to stage this year’s British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone,” the track’s managing director Stuart Pringle wrote in a message published on Silverstone’s Twitter account.

Pringle continued: “We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the Government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a grand prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible.

“Our obligations to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in preparing and delivering the event, our volunteer marshals and race makers, and of course, you, the amazing fans, means that this is the best, safest and only decision we could make.

“We have consistently said that should we find ourselves in this position we will support Formula One as they seek to find alternative ways to enable F1 racing to take place this year.

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“Following this weekend’s news from the department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport we are now working with them on the viability of an event behind closed doors. Should this be possible, it will be of some small comfort for you to know that the 2020 Formula One Pirelli British Grand Prix will be available to watch live on Sky and Channel 4.”

Despite no fans being allowed at Silverstone, reports claim a SECOND British GP will be held at the world-famous track two weeks after the first race.

Possibly titled the ‘Silverstone Grand Prix’ or named after recently departed racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, the Daily Mail suggest the GP will take place on August 2 – the date currently in the diary for the Hungarian GP.

Britain has not held two Grands Prix since 1993, when the British GP took place at Silverstone and Donington hosted the European GP.

Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport

Eugenie Bouchard invited fans to challenge her on PlayStation as she prepares for an upcoming virtual tennis tournament.

The 26-year-old posted on her Instagram page about the Tennis World Tour game with a series of pictures.

One featured her taking on tennis legend John McEnroe in a game.

Geniebouchard Instagram

Geniebouchard Instagram

She then posted her username and encouraged fans to add her and challenge her to a match.

Bouchard also posted a screenshot of a message she received from a fan saying ‘we played online’.

She wrote: “Dude I know and you quit the match because you were winning too easily. Not cool.”

Geniebouchard Instagram

Bouchard will be playing in the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro against a number of tennis stars around the world.

Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray are among the 24 players to have confirmed their participation in the tournament.

It will be a knockout style tournament and will help raise funds to help those affected by coronavirus.

Tennis has been severely affected by COVID-19, like most sports around the globe, with tournaments either delayed or cancelled all together.

Wimbledon has already been cancelled while the US Open and French Open are hoped to take place in September.

Source: TalkSport.com Tennis

No spectators will be allowed at Silverstone for this season’s British Grand Prix – if the race even goes ahead, that is.

The Formula 1 season has been decimated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with two Grands Prix – Australia and Monaco – cancelled, and a further SEVEN postponed.

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The first race scheduled to take place is the French GP on June 28, with the Austrian GP a week later and then the British GP on July 19.

And Silverstone have said no fans will be allowed to attend the race should it still go ahead as planned.

In a statement published on Monday morning, Silverstone’s managing director, Stuart Pringle, wrote: ‘I am extremely disappointed top tell you that we are unable to stage this year’s British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone.

“We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the Government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a Grand Prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible.”

Tennis star Eugenie Bouchard has invited fans to challenge her on PlayStation as she prepares for an upcoming virtual tournament.

The 26-year-old posted on her Instagram page about the game Tennis World Tour with a series of pictures from the game.

One featured her taking on tennis legend John McEnroe in a game.

Geniebouchard Instagram

Geniebouchard Instagram

She then posted her username and encouraged fans to add her and challenge her to a match.

Bouchard also posted a screenshot of a message she received from a fan saying ‘we played online’.

She wrote: “Dude I know and you quit the match because you were winning too easily. Not cool.”

Geniebouchard Instagram

Bouchard will be playing in the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro against a number of tennis stars around the world.

Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray are among the 24 players to have confirmed their participation in the tournament.

It will be a knockout style tournament and will help raise funds to help those affected by coronavirus.

Tennis has been severely affected by COVID-19, like most sports around the globe, with tournaments either delayed or cancelled all together.

Wimbledon has already been cancelled while the US Open and French Open are hoped to take place in September.

Source: TalkSport.com Tennis

Between 2010 and 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were the best players in the world and were clearly well rewarded for their efforts.

However, there was one man who pulled in more money than both footballers.

Floyd Mayweather topped the Forbes ranking, which totalled all earnings from the world’s biggest sports stars over the previous ten years and for a man who loves to earn cash, it’s no surprise to see him on top.

‘Money’ made the most thanks to his mega fights with Manny Pacquiao (also included in the top ten) and Conor McGregor in 2015 and 2017 respectively, but Ronaldo and Messi are not too far.

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10. Lewis Hamilton – $400m

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9. Kevin Durant – $425m

Getty Images – Getty

8. Manny Pacquiao – $435m

Getty Images – Getty

7. Phil Mickelson – $480m

GETTY

6. Tiger Woods – $615m

GETTY

5. Roger Federer – $640m

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4. LeBron James – $680m

NBA

3. Lionel Messi – $750m

Getty Images – Getty

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – $800m

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1. Floyd Mayweather – $915m

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Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time, Sir Stirling Moss sadly passed away on Sunday at the age of 90 after a long battle with illness.

Despite never managing to win a World Championship, Moss was held in the very highest regard by those in motor sport for his achievements on the track, as well as his outstanding professionalism.

One striking example of that particular character trait was recalled by well-esteemed F1 journalist Maurice Hamilton when he joined Sunday Exclusive on talkSPORT to pay his respects to Moss.

Back in October 1958, Moss came agonisingly close to securing that elusive first world title, but was pipped to the crown by the late Mike Hawthorn by just a single point.

But an act of sportsmanship ultimately cost him in the ninth race of that year’s championship, a decision Hamilton says Moss never regretted making.

“There’s a great story to that,” Hamilton said. “Stirling was runner-up four times in the world championship and the closest he got was 1958, and it went right down to the very last race.

“Two races prior to that Stirling Moss was in pole position and during the last lap Hawthorn lost control and started spinning around the track.

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“In order to regain access to the track he had to go against the traffic in the escape road, so when the officials found out this they excluded him – hence he was going to score no points.

“But Stirling Moss, off his own back, went to the stewards and said he saw what had happened.

“He told told them Mike wasn’t actually on the track at the time and was in fact on the pavement getting a push start – therefore the move wasn’t illegal.

“The stewards were in agreement with him, so Hawthorn retained his place in second and was awarded seven points – which ultimately decided the championship.”

This hilarious story involving Sir Stirling Moss and a police officer that proves why ex-Formula One driver is a true legend

He continued: “When I interviewed Stirling about this many years ago I brought that up and said, ‘Did you not think at that time that doing that might cost you the championship?’

“He looked at me as if I was talking some sort of foreign language, and said: ‘No boy, that never crossed my mind.

“The stewards were wrong to penalise him, there’s no question about it. The correct decision was made’.

“He didn’t understand the concept that a lot of people have in this world, who think about themselves before anyone else.

One of the true greats of Formula One has left us, as Sir Stirling Moss lost his battle with illness on Sunday, aged 90.

Moss, who won 212 of the 529 races he entered in his career, famously never won the F1 world title.

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But he’s still understood to be one of the top drivers ever, with Enzo Ferrari once calling him the greatest driver in the world.

Meanwhile, five-time champion Juan Manuel Fangio – who beat Moss to the title three times between 1955 and 1957 – called Moss the best of his era.

Tributes from the F1 and sporting world as a whole have understandably come pouring in for Moss, who is survived by his wife, Lady Susie Moss.

And F1 pundit and former driver, Tony Jardine, explained just what makes a legend.

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Jardine told talkSPORT: “He was a colossus of the sport.

“He was also known for his versatility because one minute he finished second on the Monte Carlo rally, the next he’d win a Sport R race at Dundrod in [Northern] Ireland and demolish the opposition.

“He would never sit back and play the percentage game.”

Moss had a personality too and Jardine also recalled a tale about a hilarious encounter between Moss and a police officer.

Jardine added: “There’s a classic story of policemen stopping people and say ‘who do you think you are, Lewis Hamilton?’

“Well when he [Moss] came to the Aintree racetrack, he was going through the Mersey tunnel and got done for speeding by one of the Mersey police.

“The policeman leaned in afterwards and said ‘who do you think you are, Stirling Moss?’ And he said ‘well, I am’…but it didn’t get him off the £10 fine!”

Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport

The sporting world was saddened on Sunday following news of Formula One legend Sir Stirling Moss’ death at the age of 90.

His wife Lady Moss said he died peacefully at his London home following a long illness.

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“It was one lap too many,” she said. “He just closed his eyes.”

Moss won 212 of the 529 races he competed in but famously never won the F1 world title.

However, Enzo Ferrari once called Moss the greatest driver in the world while five-time champion Juan Manuel Fangio – who beat Moss to the title three times between 1955 and 1957 – called Moss the best of his era.

Moss finished runner-up in the championships standings four times and finished third three times in a career during which he won 16 Grands Prix.

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But his outstanding sportsmanship ensured he was always a popular member of the racing fraternity.

So it’s no surprise that many from motorsport and sport in general took to Twitter to pay tribute to Moss.

One heart-felt tribute came from former boxer Frank Bruno, who said Moss offered him a lot of support over many years.

Below you can see the touching tribute left by Bruno and many more for Moss.

Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport