As the French specialized media Tennis Break News put forward in an information echoed by AS on Monday, the Citi Open in Washington was on the verge of cancellation and a few hours later the worst omens were confirmed. The tournament that was going to kick off the return of the men's circuit on August 14 it will not be held finally, as announced by the ATP.
“After months of tireless work by our team and close collaboration with our many shareholders, It breaks our hearts to announce that unfortunately we must postpone the 52nd Citi Open until the summer of 2021 “, reads the statement signed by the owner, Mark D. Ein, CEO of the company MDE Tennis, on social networks, in which the decision is based on two fundamental reasons, both related to the COVID-19 pandemic, “the restrictions of various international travel and threats to safety and health”, although the presence of the public was not foreseen.
The capital fiasco leaves the rest of the US hard court tour in a very delicate situation, which should start, if there are no changes, on August 22 in the New York bubble, where the intention is that the Cincinnati Masters 1,000 and the US Open (August 31). The USTA, responsible for these two competitions, stepped out of the Citi Open decision to make it clear that “it does not affect in any way” its plans. “We will create a controlled environment for players and everyone involved that will mitigate health risks and that was approved by the State of New York and that meets the standards of the city and the Federal Government,” explains the document they published. shortly after Washington's suspension was known.
Lots of doubts
The ATP warns that it will work “closely with the USTA for the celebration of Cincinnati and the US Open” and informed the tennis players that it will make a final decision on the North American events in late July. Many are not clear that the circuit will return this summer in the United States. Pablo Carreño said this Tuesday in the presentation of the Equelite 25th Anniversary Tournament, to be played with the public: “It is complicated because there are players from different countries and each one is in a situation “. There are even doubts about the holding of the land tournaments in Europe (Madrid Open, Rome and Roland Garros) since September 13. “It paints better than in the United States, but the COVID-19 is not easily controlled and at any time there may be sprouts and we have to stop “, explained the Asturian. The WTA circuit is scheduled to return on August 3 in Palermo and to hold a tournament in Lexington (Kentucky, USA) on 10.