Breaking News: BNP Paribas Open cancelled amidst concerns over Coronavirus

In an attempt to protect the players, attendees and anyone involved with this event, the Riverside County Public Health Department declared a public health emergency for the Coachella Valley after a case of the coronavirus was confirmed locally.

“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.”

This was done following the guidance of medical professionals, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and State of California.

“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.”

This is not the first tennis event to get cancelled, as the WTA took a similar course of action with their 125K Series tournament in Anning, China. The ATP Challenger circuit previously cancelled a few events being held in China this spring as a precautionary measure, as the coronavirus outbreak rages on. BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells is the first major tournament to be canceled due to coronavirus.