China Tennis Events All Cancelled; WTA Hit Hard, Finals Unlikely

by Staff | July 24th, 2020, 12:21 am
  • 2 Comments

The tour events in China were officially cancelled Thursday night, as announced by both tours.

The ATP will not hold their Shanghai Masters this year along with Beijing. But, the WTA was hit hard. The tour which invested heavily in China, lost seven more events in that country including its lucrative year-end finals in Shenzhen.

“We are extremely disappointed that our world-class events in China will not take place this year,” stated Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO. “Unfortunately, this decision also includes the cancellation of the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen and as result, the corresponding Porsche Race to Shenzhen. We do however respect the decision that has been made and are eager to return to China as soon as possible next season.”


The WTA will revamp its fall line-up and may still hold events in Korea and Japan, but hope of a Finals replacement is very slim. And with the loss of revenue from those events in China, the talk continues to swirl over a merger between the WTA/ATP tours.

The ATP, which hasn’t announced events past the French, is expected to release an updated calendar shortly.

Pro tennis offically returns on August 3 in Palermo.


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2 Comments for China Tennis Events All Cancelled; WTA Hit Hard, Finals Unlikely

chrisford1 Says:

ATP/WTA tour merger is a very bad idea. Like trying to merge women’s pro basketball with the NBA. Two different agendas. Compromise would erode the quality of both woman’s and men’s tennis.
It would likely result in less venues as women-only or men-only tournaments are disbanded.

With the cancellation of China events and the likely coming cancellation of the NITTO Finals in London, one possible opportunity is alternate venues. Hold events at locations that could’t be played at the beginning of the pandemic, but may have acceptable plans that could allow playing those fall events.
Headed by Indian Wells. Which has facilities as good as any Slam, is a favorite of players. Oct – Dec great weather. Ellison could make it work for any cancelled Masters or the NITTO Finals if he is interested.
Miami, Toronto, Montreal, even Monte Carlo as well. Why not?

I think Wimbledon is a lost cause and will be the only Slam likely not played, because of the hidebound ways of the All-Wimbledon Club. They think “rain” and wouldn’t consider a redo even if conditions allowed.

July 24th, 2020 at 1:48 am


K. Harden Says:

Chrisford 1: NITTO Finals – I think they will go ahead in London…based on the return of most sports, football, cricket etc. —-televised without audiences – or, in some cases, token audiences.

July 24th, 2020 at 2:00 pm

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