The sporting calendar has been almost completely wiped out due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The biggest competitions and leagues around the world have already been suspended, with NBA, Premier League and NHL action all paused for the foreseeable future. As yet, there is still no word as to when and if these competitions will resume at some point this year.
The biggest sporting occasion of the year was cancelled last week, as the Olympic Games will now take place in 2021 instead of this year, while the European Champions have also been pushed back a year. However, more notable events have also been suspended due to COVID-19 this week.
Wimbledon Cancelled For First Time Since The World War
The tennis world was left in shock on Wednesday afternoon as it was officially revealed that Wimbledon will be cancelled this year. The cancellation of the biggest Grand Slam event of the year speaks volumes for the size of the problem that the world are currently fighting, as it has only been cancelled once in the past, and that was during the Second World War.
Wimbledon was meant to take place between the 29th June and 12th July, but organisers opted against rescheduling the competition as it was believed that it would have been too difficult to shoe-horn the competition into an already packed schedule. The decision was ultimately taken out of All English Club hands, as it was revealed that there would be no professional tennis played until at least the 13th July.
Wimbledon is second Grand Slam to have been cancelled during the pandemic, as the French Open had already fell victim. That Grand Slam was meant to be taking place in May, but has now been rescheduled to take place at the end of September.
UFC 249 Main Event Cancelled Due To COVID-19
The tennis Grand Slam wasn’t the only notable event that was cancelled on Wednesday either, as Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed that his upcoming bout with Tony Ferguson has also been cancelled. Dana White had been hopeful that the event could go ahead, but it always seemed that the 18th April bout was likely to fall victim to COVID-19. Earlier in the week, White was slated for his persistent promotion of the bout, as he was urged to take a step back and consider what is best for not just the sport, but both fighters.
The fight was due to take place in New York, which has been one of the worst-hit areas of the USA. Joe Rogan has already called this bout ‘cursed’ on multiple occasions, and that would certainly seem the case as this is the fifth time that it has been cancelled in the UFC.
A new date is likely to be the preferred option for both fighters, but the door could now potentially be open for Conor McGregor to jump the cue and face one of these athletes. Decisions by the UFC are likely to be announced in due course.
