Because China will not hold most international sporting events for the rest of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WTA is canceling the remainder of its tournaments there this year, including the WTA Finals in Shenzen, an industry source confirmed.
Lanxiong Sports first reported the news, Tweeting a document with quotes from WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon on the cancellation.
“We are extremely disappointed that our world-class events in China will not take place this year,” Simon said. “Unfortunately, this decision also includes the cancellation of the Porsche Race to Shenzen and the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzen. We do however respect the decision that has been made and are eager to return to China as soon as possible next season.”
A WTA spokesman said by email that the organization has “not announced anything.”
“This is devastating for the WTA Tour and for the players,” ESPN tennis analyst Rennae Stubbs said. “2020 has been a very difficult year for many including the tennis community and the revenue lost from COVID-19 has now taken a massive hit for the WTA Tour. This is a time that we need to all do our best to try and dig out of a very difficult hole.”
The ATP also announced the cancellation of it’s China swing: the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Asia’s only ATP Masters 1000 tournament, the China Open in Beijing, an ATP 500 event, as well as the Chengdu Open and Zhuhai Championships, ATP 250 events.
“Our approach throughout this pandemic has been to always follow local guidance when staging events. We respect the Chinese government’s decision to do what’s best for the country in response to the unprecedented global situation,” said Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman. “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce ATP tournaments will not be played in China this year. These important events have been a cornerstone of the Tour’s presence in Asia and I want to thank the organizers for their commitment and cooperation. Chinese fans are some of the most passionate in the world and I know players will be looking forward to the next opportunity to play in front of them.”
The General Administration of Sport, China’s highest sporting authority, said in a statement earlier this month that, except for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic test events “and other important events, in principle, no other international sports events will be held this year.”
The CitiOpen in Washington, D.C. was canceled earlier this week due to the pandemic and international travel restrictions.
The WTA is due to resume next month in Prague and Kentucky, followed by the Western & Southern Open and then the U.S. Open in New York.
“We’re all in,” she told the Times.
This post has been updated.
I’m a Basketball and Tennis insider who contributes to The New York Times, NJ Advance Media and newspapers nationwide. I am also the author of two books and an
I’m a Basketball and Tennis insider who contributes to The New York Times, NJ Advance Media and newspapers nationwide. I am also the author of two books and an award-winning filmmaker. My family lives in Manhattan with our dog.