Roger Federer dribbled the tennis ball on the wall multiple times with his racquet, wearing completely white clothes, including a hat (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
New Delhi:
The coronavirus pandemic has locked down all sporting activity in the globe, with tennis, football, cricket and Formula One events all suspended. The athletes are now facing a challenging time in trying to train from home or motivating themselves by watching old videos of their feats. The athletes are also trying to be mentally fit and active. Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer has come up with a very unique initiative for people to stay fit and train intensely at home. Taking to his official Twitter account, Federer tagged a galaxy of sporting stars, entertainment and other celebrities in a unique #TennisAtHome and #TrainingAtHome challenge.
In the video, Federer has tagged stars like Virat Kohli, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bill Gates, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Bear Grylls, F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, tennis stars Coco Gauff, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev and captioned, "Here’s a helpful solo drill. Let’s see what you got! Reply back with a video and I’ll provide some tips. Choose your hat wisely #tennisathome". The one-minute video features Federer dribbling the tennis ball on the wall multiple times with his racquet, wearing completely white clothes, including a hat. A lot of people have responded to the challenge and Federer has replied in his own witty way.
Here’s a helpful solo drill. Let’s see what you got! Reply back with a video and I’ll provide some tips. Choose your hat wisely 🎩😉👊 #tennisathome pic.twitter.com/05lliIqh1h
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 7, 2020
How else are you guys #TrainingFromHome @tonikroos @gianluigibuffon @imVkohli @tombrady @trevornoah @luka7doncic @billgates @swish41 @cristiano @alexzverev @cocogauff @kensingtonroyal @realhughjackman @rafaelnadal @stephencurry30 @therock @beargrylls @coldplay https://t.co/N8BHl4v0HR
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 7, 2020
@djokernole @giannis_An34 @kingjames @thierryhenry @serenawilliams @lindseyvonn @mikaelashiffrin @ValeYellow46 @lewishamilton @Ibra_official @chrishemsworth @jtimberlake
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 7, 2020
Wimbledon was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the first time since World War II that the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament won’t be played. The All England Club announced after an emergency meeting that the event it refers to simply as The Championships is being scrapped for 2020. Wimbledon was scheduled to be played on the club’s grass courts on the outskirts of London from June 29 to July 12. Instead, the next edition of the tournament will be June 28 to July 11, 2021.
Tennis has been halted until July as the coronavirus pandemic stalls sports. (Image credit: Getty Images)
The tournament was first held in 1877 and has been contested every year since, with the exception of two stretches: from 1915-18 because of World War I, and from 1940-45 because of World War II. It now joins the growing list of sports events scrapped completely in 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The historic decision to write off the world's most famous tennis tournament due to the pandemic left eight-time champion Roger Federer "devastated" and seven-time winner Serena Williams shocked and shaken. Yet, the tennis world agreed it was the right move at a time when the health services are under unbearable strain.
Also Read | Wimbledon's 'Seven-Digit Insurance' Ensures Low Financial Toll Due To Coronavirus Pandemic Cancellation
However, Wimbledon was shielded from the worst effects of cancellation. The All England Club had the foresight to take out extensive insurance which will protect it from the kind of huge losses potentially faced by Roland Garros. One senior figure at the All England Club told the Daily Mail the cost of the insurance was "around the low seven figures". That will prove good value, if it can guard Wimbledon from long-term damage.
