Will Indian Wells also fail in 2021?
The planning for the ATP and WTA calendar 2021 is in full swing. The Masters tournament in Indian Wells could be canceled again, it seems.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Dec 10, 2020, 09:04 am
The tennis business became aware of the seriousness of the situation in the matter of Corona before the start of the Indian Wells Masters tournament in 2020. The organizers announced the cancellation only shortly before the qualification event - the average age in the region was too high, too many risk candidates in the event of COVID-19 spread. First of all: an irritating decision. In retrospect: a good one. Which should follow the cancellation of the remaining tournaments by the end of summer.
How will things continue in 2021? The tour managers are currently worried about this. It now seems clear that the Australian Open will not start until February 8, 2021, three weeks later than the originally planned start. What specifically goes hand in hand with the entry ban: The state of Victoria has now been without a new COVID-19 infection for more than a month, and it should of course stay that way, even when the international tennis caravan approaches.
The ATP Cup in the run-up: Seems to be history, rumors are still about another venue. Also the qualification for the Australian Open could possibly take place in Dubai instead of Melbourne, so you hear.
Indian Wells reportedly shortly before cancellation in 2021
And apparently the first Masters tournament in 2021, that of Indian Wells, will also be canceled. At least that's what the renowned and always well-informed US tennis journalist Jon Wertheim tweeted on Sunday evening. A rejection is imminent.
According to ubitennis.com , this is mainly about the number of viewers who would be admitted. At least 25 percent of the usual occupancy is a prerequisite for the tournament to be held. The numbers of new infections in Riverside Country seem too high for that.
A failure of Indian Wells, meanwhile, could benefit the South America tour: The postponement of the Australian Open brought a big question mark to its hosting.