The Open 13 tournament in Marseille will move its 2021 edition from February to March, if Indian Wells is cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ATP 250 tournament is scheduled from 15 to 21 February, but after the postponement of the Australian Open to 8 February, the French organizers are looking to move to 8-14 March 2021. This change will happen if Indian Wells is cancelled.
The Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament is set to announce that it will not be held next March due to the increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases.
Tournament director Jean Francois Caujolle confirmed that the Marseille Open 13 will not take place from 15 to 21 February as originally planned, but he said that he has not given up his hope to stage the tournament next year.
“The Open 13 Provence is likely to take place in March from 8th to 14th March 2021. Everything will depend on whether or not Indian Wells is maintained. The situation in California is worrying and the organisers do not know if the health situation will allow the Masters 1000 to be played. The 2021 edition will not take place under normal conditions, but we are fighting for the maintenance and hope to be able to offer entertainment and tennis, whether or not it is restricted”, said Jean Francois Caujolle.
Caujolle expects the Australian Open and the US Open to make a final decision and remains optimistic that the tournament will be held next year.
“I do not see the tournaments as primarily a business, but as being there to ensure the development of the game. That’s what matters. It has to be played. We have to continue. It’s important for the whole circuit and obviously for the players. Even behind closed doors I will hold the tournament, because we have to play our role even if we lose money. We will obviously respect all health measures. We will apply a gauge if we are asked, whether it is a person in four or whatever. The Open 13 will be held no matter what. When and how remains to be seen. It’s a bit annoying, but that’s how it is. We will be ready, anyway, because we have studied all pf our options. The February 15 window I assess at 10 percent, because the Australian Open should be played. The most likely option at the moment is that our tournament will be held from 8 March. The calendar is taking shape, and without Indian Wells that would make things easier. March 8 would be the perfect in relation to the evolution of Covid-19”, said Caujolle.
Caujolle is not considering the cancellation of the Australian Open. “It’s complicated because in Melbourne it will not be a decision by the tournament organisers like it is with Indian Wells, but by the Australian government. I think it is still unlikely that the Australian Open will not be played”, said Caujolle.
