Hong Kong Tennis Open 2020 cancelled as organisers say safety of players is paramount; 2021 return planned

The 2020 edition of the WTA event was left off a provisional calendar earlier this year

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Dayana Yastremska kisses the trophy after winning the 2018 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open. Photo: Andy Cheung/ArcK Photography for Hong Kong Tennis Open

Published: 12:28pm, 24 Sep 2020Updated: 9:50pm, 24 Sep 2020

The 2020 edition of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open has been officially cancelled, the Hong Kong Tennis Association announced on Thursday.

“Owing to public health and safety concerns related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we are announcing today the cancellation of the 2020 Prudential Hong Kong Open,” a statement from the Association read.

“The health and safety of players, spectators, guests, partners, tournament staff and volunteers, as well as the wider community, are our prime concerns. The cancellation was determined in conjunction with the tournament’s long-time title sponsor Prudential Hong Kong and the government following a comprehensive consultation period with the Women’s Tennis Association and key stakeholders.”

2018 champion Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine at the Victoria Park centre court. She beat Wang Qiang of China 6-2, 6-1 to lift the title. Photo: Jonathan Wong

This will be the second year in a row that the flagship tournament has been called off. In 2019, the event was also scrapped after Hong Kong witnessed a series of social protests, triggered by the proposed introduction of the Fugitive Offenders amendment bill by the government.

With the pandemic beginning to hit the community in January, many of Hong Kong’s sports events have also been called off. In July, the HKTA was still hoping to maintain the annual event at the 3,600-seat Victoria Park centre court after it was left off a provisional WTA event calendar for the 2020 season.