Update, 9.40am:
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Tennis Australia said the decision was made based on the best "up-to-date and accurate information available".
"We have been closely monitoring the bushfire situation in the region and particularly NSW, SA and Victoria and are receiving daily updates from the local experts and authorities," Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
"We know how important the tournament is for players preparing to play at the Australian Open and the decision to move the tournament from Canberra to Bendigo has been made to ensure they can still compete.
"We will continue to monitor the situation across the country and ensure we have the most accurate information to make any decisions about play.
"Our thoughts are with all those communities affected by the devastation caused by bushfires across Australia and further announcements regarding fundraising opportunities will be made shortly."
Tennis ACT CEO Kim Kachel said the decision to relocate the event was made after extensive consultation with local authorities.
"The health of players, fans, volunteers, staff and stakeholders is our biggest priority at all times," Kachel said.
"Unfortunately, the best advice from the weather and fire experts is that the conditions over the next few days mean it is unlikely there would be any play. With conditions too unpredictable the decision was made to relocate at the earliest available opportunity.
"We want to thank the team at the Bendigo Tennis Association for helping us stage this event."
Earlier:
An international tennis tournament has been relocated to Bendigo after concerns of poor air quality due to bushfires in surrounding areas.
The event was due to be played in Canberra from January 6-12, but will now be played at Bendigo's Fosterville Gold Tennis Centre.
The decision was made after consultation with experts who stated the air quality was unlikely to improve before the scheduled running of the tournament.
"We are deeply disappointed that the current conditions will not allow us to host the event here in Canberra, however the health of each of you as well as our volunteers, ball kids and event staff is our number one priority, it always will be," the ATP said in a press release.
"We are extremely grateful that our colleagues in Bendigo who have offered to host the tournament as we know how vital the event is leading into the Australian Open 2020.
"The decision to move the event ensures all players are provided with the opportunity to compete."
The city was already due to hold the Bendigo Challenger event from January 12-18, and will now host back-to-back tournaments in the lead up to the Australian Open which starts on January 20.
Fosterville Gold Tennis centre general manager James Rouel said the organisation was happy to help.
"We're all devastated for Canberra, they worked really hard and it would've been a fantastic event for them," he said.
"But we're more than happy to help out.
"This opportunity will see some awesome high-level tennis right here in Bendigo."
With the announcement only made last night, Bendigo Tennis is now in overdrive preparing to get the centre ready for the first match on Monday.
"We were already preparing to host the other event, but we're going hard to get things ready. We didn't get much sleep last night, but I'm sure we will get there," Rouel said.
"Everything is starting to come together really well."
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