Tennis and coronavirus: Indian Wells tournament canceled

Nothing will have done. Despite draconian prevention measures, the prestigious Indian Wells Master 1000 was canceled by the organizers, in a press release published on March 8. A first case of coronavirus was indeed detected in Coachella Valley, where the event was to take place. "There is too great a risk [...] to public health, [...] to organize a gathering of this size," said David Agus, professor of medicine and biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California, cited in the press release.

However, the tournament management had tried to anticipate by putting in place several precautionary measures: wearing gloves for ball pickers, volunteers responsible for taking tickets and employees at food outlets, or installing more than 250 hand sanitizing stations on site.

Tournament director Tommy Haas has invited spectators to request reimbursement of tickets or to make a request for next year.

Disappointed players

"We are very disappointed that the tournament is not taking place, but the health and safety of the local community, fans, players, volunteers, sponsors, employees, vendors and everyone involved in this event are of paramount importance, "continued the former German player.

You probably all heard the news. Indian Wells canceled. We are here and still deciding what's next. So sad for all that is happening around the world with this situation. Hopefully soon solutions from the authorities. Stay all well and safe.

On the player side, disappointment dominates. Indian Wells, considered the "fifth Grand Slam" is a very important tournament in the season and they were already numerous, including the world number 1 Novak Djokovic, present on site to prepare. “Too sad to see what's going on around the world because of this situation. I hope that solutions will be found soon. Stay all in good health and safety ”, tweeted the Spanish Rafael Nadal. Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov said he was in "shock".

A possible postponement?

"We are ready to host the tournament on another date," also said Tommy Haas without further details. But the proximity to the Miami tournament (March 23 to April 5) and the season on earth supposed to start in Europe in stride make the equation difficult. "It is too early to speculate about the tournaments to follow," said Steve Simon, WTA president, "health and safety will always come first. "

After the example of the Alpine Skiing World Cup finals in Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy) and the Qatar Motorcycle Grand Prix on March 14 and 15, this cancellation due to the epidemic is one of the most important for a sports competition nowadays.

Newsletter - The essentials of the news

I'm registering

Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more

Across the United States, major cultural events have also been canceled. The South by Southwest festival, slated for mid-March in Austin, Texas, will not take place. Close to Indian Wells is Coachella and its famous music festival. His outfit from April 10 seems very threatened.