The 2021 Auckland Classic tennis event has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers said on Tuesday.
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The New Zealand tournament, which is usually staged in early January, is used by the top players on both the WTA and ATP tours as a warmup for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year.
American great Serena Williams won the women's title earlier this year, her first as a mother, while Frenchman Ugo Humbert won the men's event.
“We are obviously incredibly sad to share this news but safety has to be our priority,” tournament director Karl Budge said in a statement.
“We look forward to the return of the Classic in Auckland (in the) next year.”
New Zealand has effectively eradicated COVID-19 but maintains strict border controls and travel restrictions to minimize the risk of further outbreaks.
