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The ATP Tel Aviv Open has been cancelled due to the security situation in the country. The tournament was set to start on November 5 but the ongoing conflict in Israel has prompted the plans to be cancelled, along with other sporting events until further notice.
Israel’s ongoing war with Palestinian militant group, Hamas, has seen over one thousand people killed – with thousands more injured. With such significant conflict ongoing, numerous airlines have stopped flying into the country and other transport methods have been cancelled.
The ATP 250 event returned to Tel Aviv last year, with Novak Djokovic winning the title after beating Croatia’s Marin Cilic in the final. The world No. 1 was set to return to the country to defend his crown last month, though it has since been speculated that the tournament will be moved to Sofia in Bulgaria instead.
Sofia are said to have outbid Spanish city Gijon to host the competition, having run ATP 250 tournaments for the last seven years. The Jerusalem Post reports that the ATP are hopeful of tennis returning to Tel Aviv next year, with their statement said to read: “[The organizers] will continue in their efforts to hold the event next year to afford the ticketholders to enjoy this sporting event.”
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“The organizers pray for the recovery of the injured and share in the grief of the bereaved families in these dark days.” It remains to be seen whether the competition in Sofia is a success, though the thoughts of many will go out to those who are searching for safety in Israel.
Tunisian star Ons Jabeur has called for peace in the war, speaking out about how the declaration of war will not solve the issues being fought for. In a statement posted on her Instagram story, the world No.7 wrote: “What innocent civilians are going through is indescribable; no matter what their religion is, or what their origin is.
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“Violence will never bring peace; I cannot stand with violence but I also cannot stand with people having their lands taken. So understanding context is important, looking at what’s happening today and deciding to ignore recent history is irresponsible and won’t bring peace.
“And peace is all we care about. Peace is what everyone needs and deserves.” It remains to be seen whether other tennis stars speak out about the ongoings in Israel, especially now the ATP have intervened to move a competition away from the country.
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