Monte Carlo Masters: With great sadness we face these exceptional circumstances

• Tennis News
• ATP Tennis

The Monte Carlo Masters organizers have officially announced the cancellation of this year's event, which was scheduled to be held from April 12-19. On Thursday, the ATP announced a six-week suspension of the men's professional Tour due to the coronavirus outbreak.

"The Monte Carlo Masters are now closely following the advice from the authorities but also feel "sad" because the tournament had to be called off," the tournament said in a released statement. "The Direction of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters regrets to have to inform you of the cancellation of the Tournament.
Following the directives of the Monegasque and French authorities, administrative and sporting, in particular the ban on gatherings of more than 1000 people, as well as the recent announcement of President Macron stating amongst other things that it is just the beginning and that the French government will announce mesures to restrict to the maximum all gatherings, and also enhanced by the ATP’s decision to cancel all tournaments over the next six weeks, it has become clear that the cancellation of our event is the only option to insure the safety and welfare of the players, spectators and staff, due to the spread and threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It is with great sadness that we face these exceptional circumstances." But the Monte Carlo Masters organizers are hoping everything will return to normal next year as they said: "We look forward to welcoming you from April 10th to 18th, 2021!"