Exclusive: WTA: “Some players may elect not to play” when Tour resumes
The WTA says it anticipates that some players and some tournaments will not want to return whenever the WTA Tour resumes.
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Organisers of the WTA Tour event in Luxembourg, which was scheduled for October, have already cancelled their tournament this year because they cannot adhere to new social distancing and health guidelines being recommended to tournaments in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both the ATP and WTA Tours are suspended until at least July 31 and the WTA knows that there will be some players who may not feel safe enough to return.
“We are sensitive to the concerns both our Tournaments and Players may have and fully understand and respect that some Tournaments may elect to not operate this year and some Players may elect to not play, if in fact we do resume the season,” the WTA told Tennis Majors.
The WTA said is it “modelling out various procedures and tournament operation standards as to what a return to play may look like”.
“These efforts are factoring in the appropriate health and safety measures, testing procedures, and base standards that will be required to ensure that events can be staged safely in the current environment.”
The ATP is reportedly set to have discussions with its players on June 10 to discuss plans for the rest of the season and the WTA said it is “actively in discussion with our tournaments and players on the measures that will need to be considered and taken”.
“Our work continues towards a plan in which a return to play could happen and (we) look to have an update for the tennis community in the next few weeks.”
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