In a Twitter post (@MubadalaSVC), the 2020 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic women's tennis tournament at San Jose State University is canceled.
"Following discussions with the WTA and in light of continued global health concerns regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus), the 2020 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic will not take place, as the health and safety of everyone involved in the event remains our priority. We look forward to welcoming everyone back at next year's Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, August 2-8, 2021," according to the social media message.
"We were looking forward to once again bringing the world-class event to the Bay Area, but our priority remains the health and safety of everyone involved in the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, including the local community. We thank our players, fans, partners and staff for their ongoing support, and are preparing for an exciting return next year," commented Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic Tournament Director Vickie Gunnarsson.
We fully understand and support the decision to cancel the 2020 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic scheduled for the first week of August. Based on health and safety issues for players, tournament officials and spectators attending the tournament, the decision is clearly in the best interest of everyone involved. We look forward to the WTA and IMG returning to our campus for the 2021 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic when, hopefully, the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us," said San Jose State University Director of Athletics Marie Tuite.
Since 2018, San Jose State hosted the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, the longest-running women's only professional tennis tournament in the world and the first stop of the U.S. Open Series. The one-week tournament consists of a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw.
Zheng Saisai of China was the 2019 singles champion in a field featuring 17 of the top-50 singles players in the world. Nicole Melichar and Kveta Peschke, both from Czechoslovakia, won the 2019 doubles title. Three-time Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic singles champion Serena Williams competed in 2018. Venus Williams, a two-time singles winner and Serena's older sister, competed in the 2018 and 2019 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classics.
