Stay all well and safe: Rafael Nadal 'sad' after Indian Wells tennis tournament postponed due to coronavirus
Rafael Nadal took to Twitter to express his disappointment at the Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open tournament being postponed due to coronavirus threat on Sunday.
In Short
- We are here and still deciding what’s next: Rafael Nadal wrote on Twitter
- Refunds for this year's event or a credit toward next year's tournament are being offered
- Tournament director Tommy Haas said organizers are prepared to play the event on different dates
Tennis star Rafael Nadal has reacted to the postponement of the BNP Paribas Open 2020 which was earlier scheduled to start on Wednesday in Indian Wells. The most prestigious event outside the Grand Slams and tour finals, was canceled on Sunday, over concerns about the spread of a coronavirus in Southern California.
Nadal was set to be joined by defending BNP Paribas Open champion Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Matteo Berrettini, Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic and American Taylor Fritz for the Eisenhower Cup, a $150,000 winner-take-all event. But the cancellation forced Nadal to take to Twitter sending an emotional message to all concerned.
"You probably all heard the news. Indian Wells cancelled. We are here and still deciding what’s next. So sad for all that is happening around the world with this situation. Hopefully soon solutions from the authorities. Stay all well and safe": wrote Nadal.
You probably all heard the news. Indian Wells cancelled. We are here and still deciding what’s next. So sad for all that is happening around the world with this situation. Hopefully soon solutions from the authorities. Stay all well and safe. Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 9, 2020
Tournament director Tommy Haas said organizers are prepared to play the event on different dates and will explore options. The decision to postpone was based on the guidance of medical professionals, the Centers for Disease Control and the state of California officials, tournament officials said.
Refunds for this year's event or a credit toward next year's tournament are being offered.
Earlier in the week, officials had announced several measures to protect players, fans and staff at the tennis tournament.
Ball kids were going to have to wear gloves and not touch the towels of players on the court. Organized player and fan interaction was also going to be limited at the tournament which is informally referred to as the fifth Grand Slam because of its popularity with players and fans, many of whom come from overseas. Besides ball kids, restaurant and food supply workers were going to wear gloves as well as volunteers taking tickets at entrances. Over 250 hand sanitizing stations were set up throughout the venue.