Time passes and uncertainty increases. Can you face world tennis for two years in a row without Indian Wells neither him Miami Open? The two Masters 1000 events that bid to be considered the “fifth Grand Slam” see how the global coronavirus pandemic and the forced restructuring of the calendar this coming season, put them in check again and force them to have several alternatives available if they want to get the tournament through. What is already evident is that nothing will be the same and that what is experienced in both tournaments in 2021 will not be close to normal. The conversations within the ATP are advanced to determine what happens between weeks 8 and 13 of the calendar, and the fit of both American tournaments is increasingly complex.
18/12/2020 10:12
The ATP has reaffirmed its predisposition that the clay tour remains in original terms, but there are 6 weeks full of uncertainty.
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As revealed by strengths close to the tournament organizers and the ATP, several options are being considered, the viability of which will be determined soon. The patience of tennis players, organizers and fans is wearing thin as it is not easy to lack a solid idea about what will happen to tennis in March. The Italian journalist Luca Fiorino has revealed interesting details about the situation in which the first two Masters 1000 of the season are and comments that the decision will be taken within a maximum period of 10 days.
1. Cancellation. It’s the most dramatic option, but it’s also the most likely right now. The bad figures in terms of coronavirus infections in the area make the authorities want to be very cautious and the tight calendar makes other alternatives difficult.
2. Postpone it until after the US Open. Everything indicates that the organization of the Californian tournament is making efforts to consider this alternative, which would allow them to host the tournament when the health situation is calmer and offer an extra incentive in the last part of the year. However, the weight of Asia in world tennis at an economic level is remarkable, and accepting this fit from Indian Wells would put into difficulties tournaments such as Beijing, Tokyo and Shanghai.
3. Postpone it to the end of the season, after the WTA Finals. It can be a bit far-fetched as it would have to be shoehorn in the tournaments leading up to the ATP Finals and it would be strange for women to have played the tournament that brings together the best eight and then travel to California. If this were the chosen option, the points would already be counted as if it were the 2022 season.
1. Keep the original date and location. The tournament was scheduled to start on March 24, something that could become viable in the event that Indian Wells is canceled. What worries in the case of Florida is the health situation that exists there, since the organizers have doubts about the viability of creating an effective health bubble if the pandemic remains uncontrolled.
2. Be played at another venue and in the month of March. The mere fact of contemplating this alternative reaffirms the theory presented in the previous point. The most likely venue would be Abu Dhabi, due to the richness of its facilities and already having the experience of having hosted the events scheduled in the first weeks of competition. In addition, it would allow the tennis players’ trip from Australia to be short, being able to stay a few weeks to train in the Arab Emirates if they consider it necessary.
3. Tournament cancellation. If all parties are unable to reach an agreement and the coronavirus continues to gallop at ease, it is not out of the question to choose to throw the curtain down and wait for the 2022 edition. The Miami tournament does not contemplate a change of date in its programming, just a change of venue like the one already explained.
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