Multiple Top 30 Players Choose ATP 250 Tournament as Coronavirus Hits Major Events

With the severity of coronavirus increasing every hour, the world is forced to make changes or cancel their scheduled programs. The rising death toll in Italy definitely puts the Rome Masters 2020 under a threat. Also, with the deteriorating conditions in Spain, compels the top 30 professionals to avoid the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona.

The top 30 players, Stan Wawrinka, Hubert Hurkacz, and Nikoloz Basilashvili have confirmed their participation ATP 250 event Hungarian Open 2020 in Budapest.

The Budapest tournament is scheduled to take place from April 20-26, 2020 which is coinciding with Barcelona Open in Spain. Both tournaments will be held on clay and but a few ATP men chose to travel to Hungary instead of Spain.

As per the reports of March 10, 2020, more than 1,200 people have been tested positive with coronavirus in Spain. The pandemic does not seem to come under control.

Richard Gasquet, Kyle Edmund, Gilles Simon, Filip Krajinovic, Mannarino, John Millman, Londero, Pablo Cuevas and Thompson will participate at Hungarian Open 2020.

Speaking about the forthcoming Grand Slam tournament in Paris in May-June this year, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) has stated Roland Garros will take place as per the schedule.

“We are on a 13-hectare site. This allows the flow of spectators to be organized very differently from football stadiums,” FFT director-general said. “Even with the roof closed, Court Philippe Chatrier is an outdoor court.”

The status of other ATP and WTA events amidst coronavirus

Meanwhile, in the western part of the world, the big tournament BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California was called off amid one coronavirus confirmed case in Coachella valley.

But its sister tournament in Miami, Florida is scheduled to take place as per the plan. “The 2020 Miami Open is moving forward as scheduled, March 23 – April 5,” the tournament announced. 

Safety remains a top priority and they are monitoring the COVID-19 situation in their neighborhood.

Asian swing 2020

The ATP and WTA events of the Asian swing later this year will be facing a challenging situation. As the epicenter of coronavirus lies in Wuhan, China, the nation has recorded more than 80,000 COVID-19 cases. The tennis action during the months of September-October seems unfeasible in the eastern end of the world.