ITF

ITF World Spring 2020 21 FORWARD Anticipation was building, the stage set and 12 teams were poised to draw swords at the Laszlo Papp Arena in Budapest and contest the inaugural Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals. For one of those nations, the moniker of world champions beckoned. However, the spread and global impact of the COVID-19 virus made hosting the event, scheduled to take place from 14-19 April, impossible. The ITF COVID-19 Advisory Group had been monitoring the repercussions of coronavirus since early February and was in continuous consultation with independent medical and travel advisers as well as national and international authorities. In March, following careful consideration and detailed discussion with the ITF Board and Local Organising Committee, the ITF announced the postponement of the Fed Cup Finals. The Fed Cup Play- offs, which were due to take place on 17-18 April, were also postponed. It is entirely dependent upon the length of time that tennis as a whole is affected by COVID-19, but the hope remains that suitable dates can be found for both the Fed Cup Finals and Play-offs in 2020. "It is extremely disappointing that we have had to postpone the Fed Cup Finals but we will not risk the safety of players, captains, event staff or spectators," ITF President David Haggerty told ITFWorld. "Given the way COVID-19 is spreading around the world, the most responsible thing to do was postpone the event until we have a better sense of what the rest of the year and the sporting calendar will look like. "The hope would be to stage the Fed Cup Finals at an appropriate time in 2020. We know how excited the players and the nations are for the event, and that is why we chose to postpone rather than cancel. We're hopeful that we will be able to insert the Finals into the latter part of the year's calendar. "The results of February's Qualifiers still stand, while we have also postponed the Fed Cup Play-offs so we stay on the same cycle. Further announcements will be made once we have a better sense of what the calendar and the impact of COVID-19 on global sport looks like." President David Haggerty confirms the ITF's intention to stage the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals in 2020 following their postponement due to COVID-19 FED CUP BY BNP PARIBAS FINALS Left The inaugural Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals were scheduled to take place in Budapest in April

• Cover