The Coronavirus is hitting Europe hard, with Italy jumping over 10,000 confirmed cases and France and Spain each approaching 2,000.
On Tuesday the Royal Tennis Federation has reacted by banning spectators from all professional tennis matches until further notice.
“The RFET notifies that all tournaments must be played behind closed doors due to government measures against the coronavirus,” it said in a statement. “In accordance with the preventive measures adopted by the Government of Spain in view of the situation generated by the expansion of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Ministry of Culture and Sports has urged the Spanish Sports Federations to hold behind closed doors all competitions and sporting events, both Professionals as non-professional.”
“The Royal Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) asks the clubs and organizers, that all tennis tournaments planned in the next dates be played without a public until further notice, with the aim of prioritizing health and safety of all participants.”
Spain does not host its first ATP event until the Barcelona on April 20th, but the Marbella Challenger is scheduled for March 30, followed by the Murcia Challenger the next week.
Spain has 1646 confirmed cases as of Tuesday March 10, up from 613 on Sunday March 8.