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25 October 2021 | Tennis Tasmania

Tasmania’s summer of tennis is again the casualty of the pandemic, with an announcement by Tennis Tasmania that the 2022 Hobart International, Burnie International and Launceston International tournaments have been cancelled.

A tough decision was made by Tennis Tasmania and Tasmanian Government Officials to cancel the three International events. It is a disappointing outcome for fans, volunteers, and organisers, all keen to see professional tennis in the state again. “The ongoing uncertainty created by the pandemic has forced us to cancel the Hobart, Burnie and Launceston Internationals scheduled for January and February,” Tennis Tasmania general manager Darren Sturgess said in a statement.

“We continue to have strong support from our stakeholders including the Tasmanian Government, our venues, local businesses and the local tennis community, and look forward to planning the return of international tennis in 2023 as part of our usual summer calendar.”

The impact reaches further than just the tennis community. Minister for Sport and Recreation Jane Howlett said the government “shares in the disappointment with Tennis Tasmania”. “These are three much loved events that fans look forward to on the Tasmanian tennis calendar, and while this is also disappointing news for the tennis community, the decision was made due to the complications around hosting international players in the state because of COVID-19 requirements,” Ms Howlett said.

“Our government remains committed to delivering elite sporting content to the state, and we will work with Tennis Tasmania to ensure that the Hobart, Launceston and Burnie Internationals can return to our state once it is appropriate to do so.”