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Many Unknowns Regarding BNP Paribas Open Safety Protocols, Fans

BNP Paribas Open in '20 was called off just before its March 11 start date due to COVID-19Getty Images

BNP Paribas Open officials have "declined to discuss what safety measures are going into next year's event," scheduled to be held March 8-21 in Indian Wells, Calif., and "whether there will be fans and how the event might be different" from previous years, according to Andrew John of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. That is "largely because there is still much ambiguity about the event." Indian Wells City Manager Chris Freeland said that the city is "working closely with Indian Wells Tennis Garden" on the '21 tournament. He noted that the two parties are "in constant contact, and that the city is very supportive of the efforts to hold the tournament in March." Freeland added that the decision to hold the tournament, with or without fans, "will include conversations with Riverside County health officials." The '21 professional tennis calendars are "still not finalized," as the ATP and WTA "have yet to release their schedules for next year, though the Australian Open grand slam is eight weeks away." The ATP "intends to have its January schedule confirmed this month," and "will confirm its February schedule in December." The schedule for March is "still in the works." The WTA "intends to release its 2021 schedule in the coming weeks." The WTA "normally has its schedule set by October" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 11/24).

LOTS OF MOVING PARTS: In Sydney, Phillips, Ractliffe & Colangelo reported a three-round qualification tournament before the first round of the Australian Open "could be canned to ensure the grand slam will only be delayed one week," following reports over the weekend that the tournament risked being pushed into February. Sources said that Tennis Australia is "very eager to ensure the tournament begins in January for two reasons." Commencing one week after the initial Jan. 18 start date "would see some part of the tournament" take place during the Australian school holidays and it "would also appease broadcaster Nine" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 11/24). In Melbourne, Spits & Colangelo noted tournament planning is "in chaos but meetings between organisers and the Victorian state government" that were set to take place between Saturday and Tuesday "aim to finalise the timing." Meanwhile, the Australian Open's junior events "have been postponed." Australian Open Tournament Dir Craig Tiley and Australian Open Junior Championships Tournament Dir Francis Soyer said that they plan to "hold a replacement tournament" in '21 (Melbourne AGE, 11/22).

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