Four months later, the WTA Tour begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The 31st edition of the Palermo Ladies Open, which will begin on August 3, It will mean the return of the world women's tennis circuit after more than four months of forced stoppage due to the pandemic.
As expected, the expectation generated around the event is exceptional. RAI, Italian state television, will televise the event for the first time in twelve years. In addition, the tournament will feature high-level players, and the WTA announced the extension of the registration period. The last to join has been the Romanian Simona Halep, world number two. “Your participation is exceptional news, for decades Palermo has not welcomed a player who has been number one “, Oliviero Palma, tournament director, commented.
The event will be the first after the pandemic, and that is why It will have all the necessary measures to stop the coronavirus. The players and staff will undergo a test four days before arriving in the Italian city, and another test as soon as they land. In addition, every four days another test will be carried out, totaling about 800 throughout the tournament.
“Starting in Palermo means that there is great confidence in our organization. We will have to make everyone forget the failures of the Adria Tour, that created image problems for our tournament, “said Oliviero Palma at the presentation of the event.” There is a great focus on security, we have excellent staff. We feel the weight of responsibility. We must be careful and take all necessary measures. The public will have to respect all the rules too. “ He commented on how the established protocol will be applied.