Official: the Madrid Open 2020 is suspended due to outbreaks

The organization of the Madrid Open, Masters category 1,000 for the ATP and Premier Mandatory for the WTA (second level after the Grand Slams), has confirmed this Tuesday that the tournament will not be played in 2020, as AS had advanced. The initial date (May 1 to 10) had to be canceled due to the pandemic and Following the relocation of the entire international calendar it was set to start on September 13 (until the 20th). It was going to be the starting signal for the European season (before Cincinnati (August 22-28) and the US Open (August 31-September 13) will be played), but it will not be like that.

The situation of the outbreaks in the capital of Spain advised against their celebration, according to the Community of Madrid, who assured that it would not be possible to “guarantee health security“. Ion Tiriac, owner of the tournament, had the last word and decided to definitively cancel the tournament. In the statement made official by the Madrid Open, they reflect that they are making the decision “in an exercise of responsibility with the current situation caused by covid-19, and after carefully assessing the circumstances that the pandemic continues to cause together with the competent authorities“

“We have done everything we can to celebrate the tournament. After the first cancellation of the month of May, we got down to work with the September date with the illusion of being able to have top-level tennis at the Caja Mágica in this bad year for everyone. However, instability is still too high to hold a tournament like this with all the guarantees. Once again, we have to thank the Madrid City Council and all our sponsors and suppliers for being by our side in all the steps we have been taking“, says Feliciano López, director of the Madrid Open.

In that statement, the organization wanted to highlight the work that had been carried out developing “different protocols”, but the restrictions that the Community of Madrid has carried out (meetings of maximum 10 people) due to the outbreaks of the last dates it has caused that “the viability of the tournament was more complicated”. Finally, from the Madrid Open they summon all fans to the 2021 edition, which is scheduled from April 30 to May 9. While the ATP minutes later published another joint statement in which they regret the cancellation and they assure that they are studying the possibility of organizing another tournament in Europe on the date occupied by the one in Madrid.

The City Council regrets the cancellation and reminds that health is a priority

The Madrid City Council has regretted the cancellation of the Madrid Open. In a statement distributed to the media, the area of ​​Culture, Tourism and Sports led by Andrea Levy regrets that this edition of the tournament will not be able to be held, which is “one of the most deeply rooted events “in the city and one that” is undoubtedly in the hearts of the people of Madrid “.

“But this year we know that we all have to be jointly responsible. At Madrid City Council we had worked together with the organizers to make a safe event, both for spectators and players, but In any case, the maximum health precaution prevails and the decision of the Community of Madrid leads us not to risk and put someone at risk“, adds the statement. It adds that prudence” is right now a maximum that we must comply with to avoid outbreaks in September and the City Council will adopt all the necessary protection measures. ” “for events that can be carried out with total peace of mind, so that Madrid residents continue to enjoy the sport in complete safety“

“Madrid is a safe city, it has proven to be healthily prepared to respond to the virus, and this allows us to return little by little to activate ourselves, always with all the precautions that we leave in the hands of the competent health authorities, in this case the Community of Madrid“, highlights the note.