The world is facing a deadly new disease. Originating in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus is related to both the common cold and deadly mutations like SARS and H1N1. The emergent strain, designated "2019-nCoV" (novel coronavirus), presents flu-like symptoms and can lead to pneumonia. As 2019-nCoV can be transmitted before symptoms are evident, containment is extremely difficult and exact numbers are impossible, but there are hundreds of deaths and over ten thousand of confirmed cases around the world. Naturally, an epidemic of this scope has a ripple effect. The city of Wuhan is under lockdown. The United States imposed a travel ban, the Centers for Disease Control invoked emergency quarantine protocols for the first time in 50 years. Inevitably, the world of table tennis has been affected as well. In the first official action by a governing table tennis body, the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) announced the indefinite postponement of the 2020 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup, which was to be held from February 28 to March 1 in China's southern island of Hainan. "In light of the recent situation and development of coronavirus related diseases in cities of China, Chinese Table Tennis Association with the full support of Asian Table Tennis Union has decided to postpone the 2020 Asian Cup," the ATTU wrote on their website. "This is in consideration of the safety and well-being of all players, coaches, officials and table tennis fans," the post continued. "As soon as a new date is confirmed, another notice will be issued and member associations will be informed accordingly." While defending champions Fan Zhendong (pictured, L) and Zhu Yuling (R) must wait to defend their Asian Cup singles titles, there will assuredly be further disruptions in the scheduling of upcoming table tennis events. These are small but necessary sacrifices to protect the well-being of all involved.

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