The year 2020 had actually got off to a pretty good start for ATP and its new chairman Andrea Gaudenzi: the ATP Cup, which had been initiated by predecessor Chris Kermode, was a resounding success, crowned by the dream final between Serbia with Novak Djokovic and Spain under the leadership of Rafael Nadal . After that, however, it soon became tough for the tennis circus. Until the curtain fell for the first time in March in front of Indian Wells.

This should rise again in Washington in about four weeks, for women it is planned to start in Palermo in early August. What Gaudenzi only pursues as an interested observer. Nevertheless: "During the past three months we have had to make decisions that have never been made in this way in the history of tennis," Gaudenzi, the number 18 in the world during his active time, told Sky Italia. “We, the WTA and the ITF had conflicts with each other when the pandemic broke out. Everyone went their own way. But over the time bus to this day, we have started to work hard on a common goal, namely the safe return to tournament tennis. That is the only thing that counts at the moment. "

No bubble like in the NBA or in football

One cannot accuse Gaudenzi of unfounded optimism. “We have many questions and few answers. Because many answers cannot be given objectively at the moment. Compared to other sports, tennis has one disadvantage due to its global structure. Players come from all over the world, and then travel to another country, if not another continent. Football or basketball in the NBA can easily create a bubble and lock yourself in to hold your events. We cannot do that. "

"We also have to be prepared for the fact that a tournament cannot simply be canceled if there is a positive test," added Gaudenzi. "Especially when we are already in the final phase. So we have to be careful and go through all possible scenarios before we give the start signal for the individual events. The next two weeks will be crucial."