French Open organizers confirmed reports that they will only allow 5,000 spectators per day at the tournament, which begins qualifying next week (L'EQUIPE, 9/18). However, Tennis Channel’s Jim Courier noted it “doesn't look good if this is the trend.” Courier: “We started at they wanted 50% occupancy originally, then it came to 5,000.” The “trend line is pretty clear right now, but I hope that they can slow things down and obviously, everyone can be as safe and healthy as much as possible over there.” While all observers “want fans” at Roland Garros, Courier said, “We’ll take what we can get.” Courier: “We just want the tournament to happen. And as you saw at the U.S. Open, you can still have a great tournament without crowds, but you’d prefer not to” (“Tennis Channel Live,” Tennis Channel, 9/17).
Meanwhile, up to 1,000 spectators will be allowed to watch each of the final two days of the Italian Open as "Italy begins to open up stadiums to fans," sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said on Friday (CALCIO MERCATO, 9/18).
