MAC ON SPORTS: USTA/URSULA BECK CLASSIC POSTPONED TO AUGUST 2021
J. Thomas McNamara
The 22nd Annual USTA/Ursula Beck Pro Tennis Classic has been postponed until 2021.
“Due to the ongoing situation surrounding COVID-19, the United States Tennis Association has cancelled all five ITF World Tennis Tour events taking place in the U.S. in August,” Director Chuck Kuhle announced this morning (Tuesday, July 7).
“This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of all those involved with these events” the USTA announced Monday. Tournaments in Lexington, KY., Landisville, PA., Concord, MA., Memphis, TN., as well as Decatur, IL. were all affected by the decision. “This was a disappointing day for our tennis community and the City of Decatur. Unfortunately, ever since the announcement on opening professional men’s tennis with our $25,000 men’s event a couple weeks ago, things seem to have just gone the other way for the tennis world.
“Several high-profile professional tennis players have contracted COVID-19 and the country as a whole has had more outbreaks.
“On the bright side, our committee was encouraged by the strong sponsorship pledged this year which nearly matched what we experienced in 2019” said Chuck Kuhle, tournament director. “To have that kind of support in a year like this was unbelievable. We look forward to returning to the Fairview Tennis Center in 2021.“
I will have more on this obviously developing story in a future print edition of the Decatur Tribune.
