By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, December 29, 2020
The ATP issues a revised 2021 spring calendar that forgoes Indian Wells and features Dubai and Miami back-to-back in March.
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook
The sunshine double won't shine on the west coast next spring.
The ATP issued its revised 2021 spring calendar, which does not include Indian Wells in its customary March time slot.
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As expected the BNP Paribas Open will not be staged in March due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic in the Coachella Valley. Alternative dates are being assessed for the tournament to potentially take place later in the year. Organizers are said to be discussing moving Indian Wells to after the US Open, potentially in September or October.
"The BNP Paribas Open will not be held March 8-21, 2021 as originally scheduled," the tournament said in a statement. "The tournament is proactively working with the ATP and WTA Tours as well as title sponsor BNP Paribas to confirm dates later in the year to hold the event.
"Details will be released in the near future as plans are finalized. This decision was made after thorough consultation with state and local health authorities and tournament owner Larry Ellison."
Under the revised schedule released today, Dubai and the Miami Open will be contested back-to-back in March with Dubai set for March 13-20th followed by the Miami Open March 22nd-April 4th.
Roger Federer and Ash Barty won Miami Open singles championships in 2019. The tournament was not played in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The Delray Beach Open launches the 2021 ATP season January 5-13th.
Australian Open qualifying will be played in Doha January 10-13th.
Among the other spring 2021 ATP calendar highlights:
*ATP Cup—February 1st-5th in Melbourne
*Australian Open—February 8th-21st
*Rotterdam—February 27-March 7th
*Acapulco—February 13-20th