‘I thought it was an April Fools joke!’ – ATP star describes moment he learned of COVID-19 cancellations

Diego Schwartzman says he thought he was the victim of an April Fools joke when he was told about Indian Wells being cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19.
Most players had already arrived in California for the tournament, which was ultimately the first of six weeks of ATP events to be called-off due to health concerns.
Schwartzman was among them, and has been describing how he reacted to the news that COVID-19 has wiped out much of the global sporting calendar.
“I didn’t like [the way Indian Wells was cancelled],” Schwartzman told La Nacion, “mostly because I landed in Los Angeles on Sunday and found out that it had been cancelled by messages from [coaches] Facundo Lugones and Fede Coria, who were there in the tournament.
“I even looked if it wasn’t April Fool’s Day, I thought they were playing a joke on me.
“The next day, the healthiest thing, was to cancel the Miami Open.
“I understand that they took a few days, they also waited for the opinions of the players, the governments and everything that was happening, but the wisest thing was done.”
The situation presents an unusual challenge for players, who are usually really getting into the rhythm at this stage of the season, but will now essentially have to start the season all over again in terms of preparation.
“We will pretend that the year has not started and we will prepare a preseason of three or four weeks,” Schwartzman added.
“We have to think that it will be a year a little shorter than normal and we have to adapt.’
As well as Indian Wells and the Miami Open, the coronavirus crisis has seen Houston, Grand Prix Hassan II, the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Barcelona Open , and the Hungarian Open all called off.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
News
Andy Murray set for Rotterdam second-round clash with world No 8 Andrey Rublev
Murray and Rublev’s only other meeting was in 2017.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic unlikely to return to action before clay season as there ‘is no need to take any risks’
Novak Djokovic unlikely to feature at the Miami Open.
-
Tennis Top 10
Top 10 oldest No 1 ATP players: Novak Djokovic now the second oldest No 1, but will he catch Roger Federer?
Roger Federer currently holds the record.
-
Australian Open
Goran Ivanisevic slams media for ‘thrashing’ Novak Djokovic, rating 2021 Australian Open as his ‘sweetest’
Goran Ivanisevic takes aim at the media.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty pulls out of Dubai tournament, but hopes to defend Miami Open title
Ashleigh Barty won’t be travelling to the Middle East.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer to skip Miami Open as he opts to ‘slowly work his way back’ following injury
Roger Federer won’t feature at the Miami Open.
-
ATP Tour
‘I’m playing for my career’ – Honest Andy Murray admits retirement question is lingering
Andy Murray fought back to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam.
-
News
Andy Murray hits back to win first round match against Robin Haase in Rotterdam
The former world No 1 finished strongly.
-
ATP Tour
Battling Andy Murray shows his old fighting spirit to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam
Andy Murray fought back from a set down.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev closing in on career milestone as he returns to action this week
Daniil Medvedev hits the top two in ATP Rankings.