Doubles World Rackets Challenge Update
Update from the Rackets World Championship Committee (“RWCCâ€) – Postponement of Doubles World Rackets Challenge
Following the announcement from the T&RA that the re-arranged British Open Doubles 2020 had been cancelled together with the continuing impact of COVID-19,
with regret the RWCC has decided to postpone the upcoming World Doubles Eliminator and Challenge match until a date, yet to be decided, in 2021. The
RWCC has also decided to pause the singles qualifying period and delay the start of the new doubles qualifying period until further notice.
Doubles World Rackets Challengers
The RWCC previously extended the qualifying period for the World Doubles until the conclusion of the re-arranged British Open that was scheduled to take
place in September 2020. The re-arranged British Open has now been cancelled and, as previously stated, the World Doubles qualifying period is deemed
complete and the current rankings are final.
In accordance with the World Doubles Championship Procedures, there will be an Eliminator between the first and second ranked pairs in the World Championship Challenge points race for the right to play in the Championship Match against the reigning World Doubles Champions, James Stout & Jonathan Larken. These pairs are Tom Billings & Richard Owen and Mike Bailey & Nick James.
The Eliminator and Challenge matches will be scheduled when the RWCC considers there is high level of certainty that they can take place.
Pause and postponement to the World Championship Qualifying Periods
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the RWCC has decided to pause the current World Championship Singles qualifying period and postpone the start of the new World Doubles qualifying period until further notice. The immediate consequence of this is that the Manchester Gold Racket currently scheduled for 22-25 October shall, if it takes place, no longer be a qualifying tournament.
Next Steps
The RWCC is committed to holding the World Doubles and restarting the qualifying periods as soon as possible but shall only do so if it believes it is safe, fair and in the best interests of the game to do so.
The RWCC will continue to review the situation and shall make further announcements if there are any further developments. In any event, the RWCC shall provide an update at the beginning of December 2020.
RWCC – August 2020
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In common with many other sports events, the World Rackets Doubles qualifying race has been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis. The British Open, the final
qualifying tournament of the World Rackets Doubles qualifying period has now been postponed until 4th to 15th September 2020.
In light of the above, the RWCC has decided that the qualifying period will be extended to finish after the British Open on 15th September 2020. Should it not be possible to play the British Open on the re-arranged dates, the World Rackets Doubles qualifying period will be deemed complete and the current rankings will be final.
In accordance with the World Doubles Championship Procedures, there will almost certainly be an eliminator between the first and second ranked pairs in the World Championship Challenge points race for the right to play in the Championship Match against the reigning World Doubles Champions, James Stout and Jonathan Larken.
The first leg of the eliminator is scheduled to take place on Sunday 27th September with the second leg on Wednesday 30th September. The venue will be confirmed in due course.
The first leg of the Championship Match will take place on Saturday 31st October 2020 at The Queen’s Club and the second leg will take place on Saturday 7th November 2020 at The Racquet & Tennis Club of New York.
Acknowledging these uncertain times, the RWCC will continue to review arrangements and shall make further announcements if these plans change. In any event, the RWCC will provide an update at the beginning of August 2020.
RWCC – 22 April 2020