Indian Wells delayed for second consecutive season amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Year’s first major, the Australian Open, has also been postponed

Indian Wells was one of the first major sports events to be shelved in 2020 (Getty Images)

The ATP and WTA’s Indian Wells Masters tournament has been postponed for a second consecutive season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The BNP Paribas Open was one of the first major global sporting events to be shelved from the calendar in March this year and it will not take place as scheduled in 2021, with alternative dates currently being discussed.

The competition is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison and in 2019 welcomed more than 475,000 fans to the Californian desert.

A statement read: "The BNP Paribas Open will not be held March 8-21, 2021 as originally scheduled.

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"The tournament is proactively working with the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as title sponsor BNP Paribas, to confirm dates later in the year to hold the event. Details will be released in the near future as plans are finalised.

"This decision was made after thorough consultation with state and local health authorities and tournament owner Larry Ellison."

The postponement of the event was confirmed as part of the announcement of the next section of the ATP calendar.

Following the Australian Open, which ends on 21 February, events will be held in Cordoba, Montpellier, Rotterdam and Montpellier, while the tournaments in Doha and Dubai – normally held in January and February – help fill the gap left by Indian Wells.

The Miami Open, the second half of the American 'sunshine double' with Indian Wells, remains on the schedule and will be staged from 22 March to 4 April.

PA