Tennis: Women's Rogers Cup in Montreal postponed until 2021

Anett Kontaveit of Estonia (R) greets Maria Sharapova of Russia during the Rogers Cup Women's tennis tournament in Toronto, Canada, August 5, 2019. /VCG

The women's Rogers Cup tournament in Montreal in August, one of the key build-up events ahead of the U.S. Open, has been postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced on Saturday.

The WTA said it had postponed the tournament, scheduled for August 7-16, as a result of the measures imposed by the Quebec government prohibiting holding events until Aug 31, 2020.

"The WTA reiterates that health and safety will always be the top priority. We understand this was a difficult decision and we look forward to being back in Montreal in 2021," the WTA said in a statement.

"As it currently stands, the WTA Tour is suspended through July 12. We will continue to work with our tournament partners in evaluating when we will be able to get back on the court. We do not foresee any further decisions until next month."

Naomi Osaka of Japan returns the ball against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic (not pictured) during the Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada, August 10, 2017. /VCG

The decision is the latest blow to the tennis season which has been on ice for the last month.

The French Open was postponed from its traditional May-June slot and rescheduled for September-October, just a week after the conclusion of the U.S. Open.

Wimbledon was canceled for the first time since World War II, meaning that the earliest tennis can resume this year is July 13.

The men's side of the Rogers Cup to be held in Toronto is still on the schedule of the ATP for now, which has suspended all competition until the end of June.

The Rogers Cup, on both the men's and women's side, is part of the elite global series below only the four Grand Slam tournaments.

(With input from agencies)