The BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at Indian Wells has been postponed because of COVID-19 concerns.

The event, which is sometimes called the ‘fifth major’ after the Grand Slam tournaments, was cancelled in March this year in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

It was scheduled to be held in California in March 2021 but that fixture has now been called off, the ATP confirmed on Tuesday.

“Due to the impact of COVID-19, the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells will not be held on its customary dates in March,” the sport’s governing body said in a statement.

“Alternative dates are being assessed for the tournament to potentially take place later in the year.”

The high-profile Indian Wells tournament attracts the game’s top players in both the men’s and women’s draws.

Meanwhile the start of the 2021 Australian Open has been delayed by three weeks until February 8 over coronavirus and travel concerns.