The ATP tennis players’ association has cancelled the Watergen Open in Tel Aviv, scheduled for 5-11 November, due to security concerns following the Hamas terror attack in Israel.
This decision was made in close consultation with security experts, the ATP announced on its website. It said the safety of the players, staff and fans had been the top priority.
“The violence and acts of terrorism witnessed in Israel are unimaginable. We strongly condemn all forms of terrorism and mourn the loss of innocent lives in this conflict. We hope and pray for peace in the region,” ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi was quoted as saying in a statement.
International sport in Israel shut down
The bloody attack by Islamist Hamas on Israel, with at least 1300 dead, and the harsh Israeli response in Gaza has shut down international sport in Israel. Due to the continuing tense situation in the Middle East, Israel’s European Championship qualifying matches against Switzerland and in Kosovo have been postponed.
Even matches in the qualifiers for the 2025 European Under-21 Championship with Israeli participation will not take place for the time being. This also affects the match of the German U21s in Israel, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday. In addition, the season finale in open water swimming, which was to take place on 2 and 3 December in Eilat, Israel, has been moved to Madeira.
