Houston TD: 'We are disappointed not to be able to carry on with the tournament'

Due to a coronavirus, the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship will not take place for the first time since 1928, with an ATP canceling all the action in the next six weeks. The U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship is one of the oldest active tournaments in the world, starting in Omaha way back in 1910 and standing as the last North American ATP tournament staged on clay. The event had changed many locations in the following decades before it settled in Indianapolis between 1969-1987, finding the current home at the beautiful River Oaks Country Club in Houston in 2001, with the new complex completed in March 2009. Some high-quality players had fought for the title since it became a part of the official ATP Tour in 1970, with Manuel Orantes, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, Jim Courrier, Andy Roddick, John Isner and Tommy Haas among the notable champions.

The Americans claimed five out of eight titles on the fast clay in Houston between 2011-18 (Ryan Sweeting, John Isner, Jack Sock and Steve Johnson), with their most promising youngsters often coming to Houston in search for the ATP wins and points, including Reilly Opelka, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Taylor Fritz, Jared Donaldson, Ernesto Escobedo, Stefan Kozlov, Noah Rubin and Mackenzie McDonald. This year's edition should have taken place between April 6-12, with the defending champion Cristian Garin, Grigor Dimitrov, John Isner, Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka and Casper Ruud as the leading figures, with many of them hoping to return in 2021, between April 3-11. 

"Our thoughts are with all those who are being directly impacted by this virus," said Tournament Director Bronwyn Greer. "We are disappointed not to be able to carry on with the tournament, but the health and safety of our patrons, volunteers, staff and the players is our top priority. Considering the circumstances of this global emergency, we support the ATP's decision."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/38OoF23