By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, May 4, 2020
World TeamTennis has cancelled its conventional 2020 season due to the COVID-10 pandemic—though the league is hopeful it will host an abbreviated season in one venue.
Photo credit: World TeamTennis
The coronavirus has claimed another casualty.
World TeamTennis has shelved plans for a conventional 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic—though the league is pivoting to a creative solution aiming to host the season consolidated in one venue.
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WTT Commissioner Carlos Silva said the league is currently in discussions with several potential hosts cities and will announce progress on that plan later this month.
If a host site is finalized—and WTT can ensure health and safety for players—the league would play the entire season in one city at a future date to ensure health and safety for players and staff.
"While we remain hopeful that the WTT season will begin on July 12, as originally scheduled, we have concluded that it is not possible for players, staff and fans to complete the necessary air travel to and from our nine host cities," Silva said in a WTT statement. "Safety for all involved remains at the forefront of our decision-making. Therefore, the WTT season in its normal format will not take place this year.
"However, we are developing a new plan to conduct the 2020 season in one venue, in one city. We are very excited about this prospect and believe that this will be a unique way to allow our athletes the opportunity to compete for the 2020 WTT King Trophy and this year’s $1,000,000 prize."
Silva said WTT will follow CDC and local health officials guidelines in its effort to host a condensed season.
"Currently, the league is in discussions with several cities which are located in states that have begun to ease restrictions, as they have indicated an interest in hosting the WTT season and facilitating logistics by consolidating play in one city," Silva said. "When we ultimately make a decision, it will respect the latest CDC protocols as well as relevant state and city health regulations.
"Again, WTT will continue to evaluate all options, and keep our athletes, employees and fans abreast of these plans as they evolve. WTT will post another update before the end of May as plans materialize."
WTT's announcement comes weeks after Wimbledon cancelled The Championships for the first time in 75 years.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been postponed to 2021.
The ATP and WTA jointly extended suspension of the pro circuit until at least July 13th.