LOS ANGELES, March 9, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The ATP and WTA tennis tournament in
Indian Wells, California, has been cancelled over concerns about the
worldwide outbreak of the new coronavirus, organizers said Sunday.
The tournament, one of the biggest outside the four Grand Slams, was due to
begin on Wednesday. It’s the first major US sports event to be cancelled
because of concern over the virus.
Organizers had said they planned to go ahead with extra health measures in
place. But they opted to cancel after the health department of California’s
Riverside County declared a public health emergency for the Coachella Valley
— in the desert east of Los Angeles — after a confirmed case of COVID-19
locally.
“We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place, but the
health and safety of the local community, fans, players, volunteers,
sponsors, employees, vendors, and everyone involved with the event is of
paramount importance,” said tournament director Tommy Haas.