Centenary Tennis Tournament cancelled

Britain’s largest tennis tournament - the Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament scheduled to take place Sunday, August 16 to Saturday, August 22, 2020 - has been cancelled due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament committee has with great disappointment and sadness reluctantly taken the decision to cancel the event, which annually attracts more than 1,200 competitors to play junior and senior events at the Recreation Ground. This year’s Tournament would also have included a celebration of the event’s centenary.

Tournament secretary Chris Holt, who has been involved in the event for 45 years, said: “The decision to cancel the 2020 event has not been taken lightly. But the health and well-being of everyone involved - competitors and their families, caterers, sponsors and stallholders - and that of the residents of Hunstanton and the surrounding villages is the Tournament committee’s top priority.

“While the decision not to hold this year’s Tournament is a blow to the economy of Hunstanton and the surrounding villages given that the event attracts so many competitors and their families and friends for a week of tennis, the committee believes it is the right decision.

“The Tournament committee is clearly aware of social distancing requirements as outlined by the UK Government. The fact that on some days during Tournament week, approaching 4,000 people - in addition to more than 1,200 players - could be on the Recreation Ground site would make social distancing extremely difficult, if not impossible, to manage.

“It is against that background, and considering all the facts and available information from the UK Government and the Lawn Tennis Association, that the Tournament committee has taken the decision to cancel the 2020 Tournament. It will the first year that the Tournament has not taken place since it was revived in 1950 after the Second World War.”

Mr Holt added: “We must now look forward to the 2021 Tournament, which will take place Sunday, August 15 to Saturday, August 21. The Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament is a unique 100-year-old institution and next year’s event will include a celebration of its centenary.

“The Tournament committee would like to take this opportunity to say to tennis players and the residents of Hunstanton and the surrounding villages that we hope that you and your families are safe and well at this difficult time.”

14 & Under Girls Doubles winners Darcey Trotman and Beatrice Painter at lat year's tournament