[ad_1]
Image Source : AP Rafael Nadal, of Spain, hits a forehand to Karen Khachanov, of Russia, on the BNP Paribas Open tennis match in Indian Wells, Calif., on this Friday, March 15, 2019
The BNP Paribas Open, that includes the lads’s and ladies’s professional tennis excursions, received’t be held in March as initially scheduled.
Tournament organizers stated Tuesday they’re working with the ATP and WTA excursions in addition to the title sponsor to verify dates later in 2021 for the occasion in Indian Wells, California. It was initially set for March 8-21 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The choice to postpone the occasion was made after consulting with state and native public well being officers and match proprietor Larry Ellison.
Coronavirus hospitalizations are stabilizing in elements of California however sufferers are nonetheless overwhelming hospitals in a big swath of the state. Intensive care models in Southern California and the agricultural San Joaquin Valley haven’t any capability remaining, in response to state figures. Gov. Gavin Newsom stated it was “self-evident” his newest stay-at-home order could be prolonged Tuesday in locations the place hospital ICUs have lower than 15% capability.
This 12 months’s match was the primary main U.S. sporting occasion known as off after a case of COVID-19 was confirmed within the Coachella Valley in March. Initially, organizers had hoped to reschedule it for later within the 12 months, however the coronavirus disaster solely worsened.
The occasion usually attracts upwards of 450,000 followers. It is often known as the “fifth slam” due to its reputation among the many gamers and its stature, rating factors and over $17 million in prize cash that place it one rung beneath tennis’ 4 Grand Slam tournaments.
The Australian Open, the 12 months’s first Grand Slam occasion, has been postponed to Feb. 8-21, three weeks later than regular with the intention to permit gamers and officers 14 days to quarantine after they arrive Down Under.
[ad_2]