The French Open has been moved to September and October as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event at Rolland Garros was due to be played from 24 May to 7 June, but instead will take place between 20 September and 4 October.

That means it will begin just one week after the completion of the US Open in New York.

All professional tennis across the world is currently suspended until at least 20 April.

The French Open is usually the second grand slam of the year and the finale of the clay court part of the season.

It will now be the final major of the year, and the new dates clash with a number of other events, including the Laver Cup, an annual men’s event between a team from Europe and a team representing the rest of the world.

The French tennis federation said the move was made to “guarantee the health and safety of all those involved in the preparation of the tournament”.

It added: “While no one today can predict what the health situation will be like on 18 May [when qualification was due to start], the lockdown measures in force make it impossible to prepare for it and therefore to organise it on the dates initially planned.”