ATP gives statement on Coronavirus and the 2020 BNP Paribas Open

Due to concerns regarding the coronavirus infection that is causing panic across the globe, many nations at risk are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their citizens.

Following the confirmation of a local case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at Coachella Valley, the organizers of the BNP Paribas open decided to cancel the event. This was done based on guidance from medical professionals and the CDC, in conjunction with the State of California.

Given that all the participants and most fans were already at Indian Wells, this led to largely negative feedback from the players. Initially, the ATP gave no official response to the situation but finally broke their silence with the release of a statement.

"While we regret that the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells will not take place, the ATP Tour calendar beyond Indian Wells remains as status quo." said ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi in an official statement.

"We continue to monitor the situation daily, working closely with our player and tournament members with the understanding that direction must be taken from local public health authorities. We are committed to exploring all options for the operation of upcoming tournaments as the health and safety of our players and all other stakeholders remain our top priority. Any further updates will be communicated on ATP platforms."

This implies that the other ATP events could be cancelled, based on their proximity to confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The ATP Challenger circuit has already nixed a few events being held in China this spring, with the WTA following suite and cancelling a 125K series tournament in Anning, China.

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