With the Quebec government cancelling all sports events till the end of August, another WTA tournament has fallen a casualty to the coronavirus outbreak. The WTA Rogers Cup, which was to start on August 7, won’t be happening this season.
The Canadian Open is a mixed tennis competition, played simultaneously for both, the ATP and WTA competitions. The two circuits alternate between Toronto and Montreal each year and this year’s women’s tournament was to be hosted by the latter.
The region of Montreal falls under the jurisdiction of the Quebec government and with the authorities continuing its fight against the outbreak of the virus, a decision was taken to stop all sporting events till August 31. The Montreal Open qualifying rounds were to begin in the first week of August.
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Montreal tournament director Eugene Lapierre said:
“At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis we were hoping that the situation would be resolved in time to be able to host our tournament as initially planned on the calendar, but we knew that the chances were getting smaller and smaller in recent weeks.”
“Our priority in the management of this crisis has always been to ensure the safety and well-being of our players, fans, volunteers, partners and employees.”
“It is thus with a heavy heart that we received this news, but we understand that this decision was necessary.”
The decision to cancel the WTA Rogers Cup follows the already suspended men’s and women’s tennis tours till mid-July.
Bianca Andreescu is the defending champion at the Canadian Open, having won the title last year following the retirement of Serena Williams from the final when she was trailing 3-1. Andreescu went on to win the US Open after that.
For now, the men’s Rogers Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted in Toronto, will continue to remain a part of the calendar.
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