The annual Launceston International tennis tournament has become the latest major sporting event to fall victim to the coronavirus.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tennis Tasmania general manager Darren Sturgess has confirmed that the Launceston, Hobart and Burnie tournaments, traditionally staged around the Australian Open in January, will take place in Melbourne next year.
In a message to "the Tasmanian tennis community", Sturgess said it was a sad development.
"Following months of extensive discussions with governments across the country and multiple scenarios considered, unfortunately due to the many logistical challenges created by the pandemic the Australian summer of tennis will be played in Victoria in 2021," he said.
"This decision has been made because of the restrictions in every state and territory which make it impossible for the players to prepare properly and for us to run our normal summer program in Tasmania.
"As you can imagine the logistical challenge created by the pandemic has forced us to make this decision."
Sturgess remained hopeful of returning to a normal tournament calendar for 2022.
Launceston's Regional Tennis Centre has become host to both ATP Challenger Tour and ITF Women's Circuit events.