The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) wiped out the Asian swing of tournaments from its calendar for a second successive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with only the WTA Finals yet to be canceled.

The tournaments, which typically start after conclusion of the U.S. Open in September, cannot go ahead due to travel restrictions in China and Japan, the WTA said on July 1, adding that it was working to relocate the events.

"We are disappointed that our world-class events in China and Japan will not take place this year," WTA chief executive officer Steve Simon said in a statement. "We are working on a parallel path to provide playing opportunities in other regions."

This means the cancellation of the China Open, the Wuhan Open, the Zhengzhou Open and the Tianjin Open for the second consecutive year.

"We have deeply regretted the cancellation of the tournaments in China. However, this is a wise choice for the global epidemic prevention and public health," said a statement released by the China Open on Friday.

Officials from the governing body of women's tennis said the WTA Finals due to be held in Shenzhen remained "under discussion."

A new WTA 250 tournament - the Chicago Women's Open - was added to the calendar as well, starting on August 23.

(With input from agencies)