The Indian Wells tennis tournament, one of the largest on the ATP and WTA circuits to start in California on Monday, has been canceled due to the epidemic of new coronavirus, its organizers announced on Sunday. The decision was made after "Riverside County public health department declared a public health emergency for the Coachella Valley after a locally confirmed coronavirus case," said tournament management.
Due to concerns surrounding Coronavirus, the 2020 @BNPPARIBASOPEN will not be held.
👉 https://t.co/XvwhM2qa9f ​​pic.twitter.com/zOidNbzcWh
The organizers said they followed "the advice of health professionals, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the State of California". "There is too much of a risk to public health in the Riverside County area right now to host a gathering of this size," said Dr. David Agus, professor of medicine and biomedical engineering, at the University of Southern California, cited in the press release.
Several tens of thousands of people usually circulate on the tournament site, its Central can alone accommodate 16,000 spectators. “It is not in the general interest of fans, players and neighboring areas that this tournament takes place. We must all unite to protect the community against the coronavirus epidemic, ”the organizers still justify.
Canceled or postponed?
"We are very disappointed that the tournament is not taking place, but the health and safety of the local community, fans, players, volunteers, sponsors, employees, vendors and everyone involved in this events are of paramount importance, "said tournament director Tommy Haas, a former professional player.
A month after the Australian Open, Indian Wells was the first big spring meeting for the tennis world, before the Miami tournament scheduled two weeks later and also threatened by the epidemic. Most of the best players in the world were expected in this desert part of California, from Novak Djokovic to Serena Williams via Rafael Nadal and Ashleigh Barty.
"We are ready to organize the tournament on another date and we will examine the various possibilities," promised the organizers, who invite each ticket holder to be reimbursed or to have a credit for the 2021 edition.
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