After California health officials declared an emergency in the area where one of tennis’s most important tournaments was set to be held due to a confirmed case of coronavirus, the event has been canceled.
The BNP Paribas Open, oft referred to as the sport’s fifth Grand Slam, will not go on as planned this month in Indian Wells after a case of the virus was confirmed in the Coachella Valley.
The 2020 BNP Paribas Open will not be held.https://t.co/BVKQmmcbth pic.twitter.com/CHOd0PgJeV
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2020
The person who tested positive for coronavirus is being treated at Eisenhower Health hospital in Rancho Mirage, California.
“We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place, but the health and safety of the local community, fans, players, volunteers, sponsors, employees, vendors, and everyone involved with the event is of paramount importance,” tournament director Tommy Haas said in a statement. “We are prepared to hold the tournament on another date and will explore options.”
Indian Wells is one of the most popular events on the tour and was going to offer more than $17 million in prize money in 2020. More than 450,000 fans attended the two-week tournament in 2018 and in 2019.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in California thanks to a reported 114 cases of the virus.
To date, the BNP Paribas Open is the largest U.S. sporting event to be called off over concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
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