Tennis-Up to 1,000 fans allowed per court at French Open - minister

Reuters

Published May 02, 2021 02:54PM ET

Updated May 02, 2021 04:35PM ET

PARIS (Reuters) -Up to 1000 fans will be admitted into each of the three main Roland Garros showcourts while the smaller venues will be able to admit 35% of their capacity during the first 10 days of the French Open due to COVID-19 restrictions, sports minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Sunday.

The limit will be raised to 65% but capped at 5,000 for matches on 15,000-capacity Philippe Chatrier and 10,000-seater Suzanne Lenglen courts from June 9 when the quarter-finals get underway, Blanquer told France 3 TV channel.

"The gauge is set at 35% at that moment (when the tournament starts), with a maximum of 1,000 spectators... per court, of course," said Blanquer.

It marks an improvement on last year's delayed tournament which took place in September when a maximum of 1,000 spectators were allowed in the grounds of Roland Garros.