China does not take place - WTA cancels tour final
No more professional tennis tournaments will take place in China this year. This hits the WTA harder than the ATP.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jul 24, 2020, 08:41 am
The WTA was so proud last year at the end of its season when Ashleigh Barty held up a $ 4.42 million winner's check in Shenzhen. In front of a few spectators in the hall, but the Australian and the umbrella organization of the women didn't care very much. The Asian region was the future market of the WTA until the outbreak of the corona pandemic, and maybe it will become so after the end. For 2020 at least in China, however, all bulkheads are now sealed.
After official Chinese authorities basically banned all sporting events for the current year almost two weeks ago, on Thursday the WTA and ATP also joined the inevitable. In addition to the Masters 1000 event in Shanghai, three other events (such as Dominic Thiem's title defense in Beijing) are falling flat for the men, the women are much harder hit - for example, by canceling the Premier Mandatory tournament in Beijing. And of course the cancellation of the WTA Finals in Shenzhen.
Simon and Gaudenzi express understanding
"We are extremely disappointed that our world-class events in China cannot take place this year," WA boss Steve Simon said in a broadcast. “Unfortunately, this decision also means canceling the WTA Finals and, as a result, the Porsche Race to Shenzhen. But of course we accept the decision we have made and look forward to coming back to China as early as possible in the coming season.
The same was heard from Andrea Gaudenzi, the head of the ATP. “Our approach during the pandemic has always been to follow the instructions of the local authorities. We respect the decision of the Chinese government to do what is best for their country in an unprecedented global situation. ”