In the wake of escalating hostilities in the region, the Tel Aviv Watergen Open will not take place in 2023. Israel declared a state of war last week following a series of attacks led by Hamas, prompting the cancellation of the indoor hard-court tournament.
The ATP had granted the tournament a single-year license for the second consecutive year, with scheduled dates from November 5 to November 11 at the Expo Tel Aviv. In 2022, Novak Djokovic emerged victorious by defeating Marin Cilic in the final.
ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi expressed his deep concern, saying, “The violence and acts of terror witnessed in Israel are beyond comprehension. We strongly condemn any form of terrorism and mourn the loss of innocent lives across this conflict. We hope and pray for peace in the region.”
As of now, the ATP has not announced a replacement event for the competitors who had entered the 250-level tournament. Notable players like US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton and top-ranked Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime were among the participants confirmed before the outbreak of conflict in the region.
Rumors suggest that Sofia may serve as an alternative host location. Notably, the Moselle Open in Metz is also scheduled for the same week. This cancellation marks the end of the regular season leading up to the Nitto ATP Finals and Davis Cup Finals, with the hopes of peace in the region remaining a prominent concern.
