New York Open can't find its place in the updated 2021 ATP calendar

The fourth edition of the New York Open should have taken place in February 2021. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the updated ATP calendar based around the Australian Open, New York will lose its spot in the calendar next season, not seeking other positions later during the season. After four decades, the Memphis Open vanished from the ATP calendar in 2017, struggling to get the sponsors and selling the license. The event moved to Long Island, New York, finding the new home at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on black indoor hard courts, a feature that makes it a unique stop among the ATP tournaments. Kevin Anderson was the inaugural champion in 2018 after beating Sam Querrey in the final, succeeded by the home star Reilly Opelka who delivered thrilling wins over John Isner and Brayden Schnur en route to the first ATP title last year.

In 2020, Kyle Edmund joined the champions list, lifting his second ATP trophy and achieving the season's best result. The Briton toppled Yasutaka Uchiyama and Dominik Koepfer to reach the quarters, battling hard to oust Soonwoo Kwon in the deciding tie break. Kyle defeated Miomir Kecmanovic in the semis after losing only five games, gathering momentum ahead of the title clash versus the Italian veteran Andreas Seppi. Kyle beat Andreas 7-5, 6-1 in an hour and 21 minutes, taking charge in the opener's closing stages and never looking back. The Briton dropped eight points in ten service games and never faced problems in his games, waiting patiently for the return chances. Kyle took 45% of the return points, scored three breaks and rattled off eight of the final nine games to seal the deal in style. Edmund had a massive advantage in the mid-range and most extended rallies, taming his strokes nicely and doing everything right on the court, especially in set number two when he left Andreas far behind to celebrate the title.

New York Open will not take place in 2021.

"The health and safety of our participants, staff and fans is always our top priority at the New York Open, and at present, this focus is heightened by the devastating COVID-19 global pandemic. In collaboration with the ATP, we underwent an extensive process evaluating the viability of hosting the New York Open in February 2021. Ultimately, with our community's well-being in mind and a commitment to strict adherence to current New York state guidelines for professional sporting events and out of state travel, we determined that the event's logistical and financial impact would be insurmountable.

Also, the shifting professional tennis calendar due to the pandemic significantly impacted the availability of players. While we are very disappointed to have to make this decision, we know today's more important issue is our community's health and safety. Our thoughts remain with those impacted by COVID-19, and we are forever grateful to the medical professionals that continue to support their communities every day," the New York Open tournament director Peter Lebedevs said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3r9Rikp