he All England Lawn Tennis Association, which organizes the Wimbledon tennis tournament, looks set to recoup almost half of its losses from cancelling the event thanks to the $2 million pandemic insurance it has taken out every year for the last 17 years.
The tennis chiefs updated their policy back in 2003 following the SARS outbreak that would cover the event in case of a pandemic.
Speaking to the newspaper, Richard Lewis, the All England chief executive, said: “Of course we are fortunate to have insurance. "It helps but it doesn’t solve all the problems.”
Wimbledon is the only one of the four tennis Grand Slams to have the insurance for pandemics.
For the first time since 1945 – the final year of the Second World War – there will be no Grand Slam event in SW19.
The two-week tournament, which was set to begin on Monday June 29, was cancelled following an emergency board meeting held on teleconference between Wimbledon chiefs.
The decision was made by a committee involving four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman, former Cabinet secretary Lord Gus O’Donnell, new chairman Ian Hewitt and ex-player turned sports administrator Debbie Jevans, who was involved in the running of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
Two-time winner Andy Murray said: "Very sad that the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen's and Wimbledon have been cancelled this year.
"But with all that is going on in the world right now, everyone’s health is definitely the most important thing!