Tennis world 'in shock' as 'fifth major' is cancelled
Tennis fans have been left in a state of shock over the decision to cancel the Indian Wells tournament in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Often described as the sport's 'fifth major', Indian Wells will not go ahead in 2020 in a drastic response to the threat of the coronavirus outbreak.
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“There is too great a risk, at this time, to the public health of the Riverside County area in holding a large gathering of this size,” said Dr. David Agus, Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California.
“It is not in the public interest of fans, players and neighboring areas for this tournament to proceed. We all have to join together to protect the community from the coronavirus outbreak.”
“We appreciate the proactive stance tournament organizers are taking to ensure public health and safety,” said Martin Massiello, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Eisenhower Health.
“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. “We are prepared to hold the tournament on another date and will explore options.”
Cancellation of the Indian Wells tournament has rocked the tennis world, with fans taking social media to express their disappointment and anger.
Due to concerns surrounding Coronavirus, the 2020 @BNPPARIBASOPEN will not be held.
👉 https://t.co/XvwhM2qa9f pic.twitter.com/zOidNbzcWh— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 9, 2020
I'm... in shock.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 9, 2020
The 2020 BNP Paribas Open will not be held.https://t.co/BVKQmmcbth pic.twitter.com/CHOd0PgJeV
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2020
Indian Wells is essentially a fifth grand slam. Thousands of tourists come to the event every year from around the world. The cancellation is shocking but necessary.
— Sam Kulp (@kulp_sam) March 9, 2020
Wow! Shocked
— Keith Horton (@KeithKhorton) March 9, 2020
😱😱😱
— Bruno Vonderhoff (@Vonderhoff) March 9, 2020
Why can't they just play without fans??
— N.J (@NiyolJha) March 9, 2020
Wtf Indian Wells cancelled I am shocked 😱😱😱😱😱😱
— GenieCiciEli KikiAljonaBibi (@NoronhaWTA) March 9, 2020
Reckless decision to screw over fans. 24 million people live in Southern California, and cancelling an event with 35,000 people coming in each day is helping anything? Moronic overreaction, caused by ignorant media
— Greg McCormick (@GregMc1974) March 9, 2020
This is a big cancellation
Indian Wells might be biggest tennis tournament outside of the majors. Very significant to just cancel it https://t.co/MoCSFp9jdt— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 9, 2020
Canceled over one confirmed case. Let’s hope other decisionmakers don’t scare as easy
— Andrew (@absmith_12) March 9, 2020
Organisers not taking any chances at Indian Wells
Precautions for the tournament were already being ramped up with the event set to impose a ban on ball kids handling players' towels, among other measures.
The exchange of sweaty towels between players and ball-kids between points has long been a source of contention in the sport due to hygiene reasons.
The plans followed an announcement from California Governor Gavin Newsom who declared a statewide emergency following the death of an elderly person - the first fatality in the region from the virus.
The virus has infected more than 100,000 people worldwide, killed more than 3,400 people and spread across more than 90 nations.
The Indian Wells tournament, arguably the biggest outside the four Grand Slams, was due to begin in the States on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT).
It's the first major US sports event to be cancelled because of concern over the virus.
