ATP calendar: start in Delray Beach? Marseille not until March?
There is not much time left until the start of the 2021 season. There are increasing signs that the tennis year for the men in Florida could begin.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Dec 11, 2020, 09:49 pm
As always, everything in tennis depends on the big organizations: Will Tennis Australia get through the start date of February 8th at ATP and WTA and with all the accompanying circumstances also at the responsible bodies in Australia? And will the United States Tennis Association cancel one of their flagship events in Indian Wells in 2021, in coordination with tournament owner Larry Ellison, of course? As of now, both can be assumed.
The ATP calendar will be based on these decisions. According to reports that have not yet been confirmed, the start could take place in Delray Beach, Florida, from January 4, 2021. Which could be thought of as a decent start for the US players. Those who have dominated Delray in recent years with one exception: Radu Albot won the title in 2019, before that were Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, then, last year (but at a later date), Reilly Opelka.
Tsitsipas defending champion in Marseille
There are also concerns in France, for example the tournament director of Marseille, Jean-Francois Caujolle. The tournament will probably take place from March 8th to 14th, the original date would have been February. Stefanos Tsitsipas would travel to the 250cc event as the defending champion.
"It all depends on whether Indian Wells is going to happen or not," said Caujolle. “The situation in California is critical and the organizers do not know if the circumstances will allow the tournament to play. Our 2021 event will not take place under normal circumstances. But we are struggling to stick with it and hope to have entertainment and tennis. "