Citi Open Tennis Tournament in Washington DC is Canceled
(July 21, 2020) The Citi Open, which was supposed to be the first men’s pro tennis event since the tour hiatus due to COVID-19 has been canceled.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/xHOcb6gcMy
— Citi Open (@CitiOpen) July 21, 2020
From the ATP:
The ATP and organisers of the Citi Open, the ATP 500 event in Washington, D.C., have announced the cancellation of the 2020 Citi Open.
The tournament, which was scheduled to begin on 13 August, marked the planned resumption of the ATP Tour following the suspension of professional tennis in March. However, with continued uncertainties affecting the ability to meet key event planning deadlines, the decision has been made to cancel the event. The ATP continues to work closely with the USTA on the Western & Southern Open and the US Open, which are scheduled to take place back-to-back in New York, beginning on 20 August.
“It’s disappointing that due to these unprecedented times, the Citi Open will not be able to go ahead this year,” said Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman. “I know how hard Mark Ein and his team have worked to adapt to new and continually changing conditions and would like to recognize their outstanding commitment to staging the event. Unfortunately for the moment there are still large factors at play which are outside of our control. We look forward to the Citi Open returning as one of our signature American events in 2021.”
“After months of tireless work by our team and close collaboration with our many stakeholders, we are heartbroken to announce that we must unfortunately postpone the 52nd Citi Open until the summer of 2021,” said Mark Ein, Chairman, Citi Open. “With only 23 days left until the start of the tournament, there are too many unresolved external issues, including various international travel restrictions as well as troubling health and safety trends, that have forced us to make this decision now in fairness to our players, suppliers and partners, so that they can have certainty around their planning.”
The ATP continues to work on the revised 2020 calendar with a further update expected in the next fortnight on a provisional schedule of events including the final section of the season through to the Nitto ATP Finals in November.
The USTA issued a statement saying that this cancellation will in no way stop the US Open from taking place.
Statement from USTA
Though unfortunate, the USTA understands the rationale for canceling the Citi Open at this time. We want to commend Mark Ein and his entire team for their tenacity, driven by their passion for the sport, but respect the tournament’s ultimate decision. We also want to thank the many supporters of the tournament, from the fans to its many partners, and know that Mark and his team will be ready to host them in 2021.
This decision in no way impacts the US Open or the Western & Southern Open. The USTA will create a safe and controlled environment for players and everyone else involved in both tournaments that mitigates health risks that was approved by the State of New York and also conforms to the standards put forth by New York City and the federal government. We constantly base our decisions regarding hosting these tournaments on our three guiding principles that include safe and healthy of all involved, whether hosting these events are in the best interest in the sport of tennis and whether this decision is financially viable. We are confident we remain in-line with all three guiding principles.
