Indian Wells Mayor calls tournament cancellation a 'tragedy'

The BNP Paribas Open, the near-major tennis tournament set to begin this week in the California desert, won't be played as scheduled after a case of coronavirus was confirmed in the Coachella Valley.

It's the largest U.S. sporting event to be called off over concerns about the spread of the disease. The South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, was canceled Friday.

Indian Wells Mayor Ty Peabody described the decision as a tragedy for local businesses.

The announcement came Sunday night after many players were already in the desert practising.

Qualifying matches were to begin Monday with women's main draw matches starting Wednesday and the men's draw beginning Thursday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. California has reported 114 cases of the virus.