The ongoing disruption caused by the Coronavirus outbreak has affected another tennis tournament with the final of the Bergamo Challenger being cancelled. Making it the first time a tennis event in Europe has been disrupted due to the threat of the illness.
This weekend Italy has introduced what it described as ‘extraordinary measures’ to combat the virus, which originated in China and has killed more than 1000 people worldwide. In the country there have been over 100 cases of Coronavirus and at least two deaths. People living in the northern towns of Lombardy and Veneto have been asked to stay at home by the authorities and it is forbidden for them to leave the affected areas unless permission is granted.
The decision means that several Serie A football matches have been cancelled, as well as the final of the Bergamo Challenger. Bergamo is located 40 KM away from Lombardy. The final was set to feature French seventh seed Enzo Couacaud against Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko. Known as the Trofeo Faip–Perrel, Bergamo has held an annual men’s tournament since 2009. This year’s draw featured five players ranked in the top 200, as well as the debut of 16-year-old Leo Borg. The son of Bjorn Borg.
“The Government is preparing to issue urgent measures to deal with and contain particularly incisively the cases of infection with Coronavirus. These measures also include the sports world due to the need to prevent risks and better protect the health of all those who, in various capacities, participate in events and competitions. Pending the completion of the measures and the full and effective implementation of the same, on the due notice of the Council of Ministers, for reasons of caution and utmost precaution, I ask you to act as interpreter at all the competent sports bodies of the Government’s invitation to suspend all sporting events of all levels and disciplines scheduled in the Lombardy and Veneto regions for Sunday 23 February 2020.” Sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said in a letter sent to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).
Organizers tried to look into a variety of options in order for the men’s final to be held, including playing it behind closed doors. However, it did not receive the required permission to do so. Instead, both Couacaud and Marchenko will share the prize. Each player will exit the tournament with 48 ranking points and € 3,650 in prize money.
Italy will not host another Challenger event until April.
