23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has said she plans to talk with officials at the French Open before she commits to playing there after expressing concerns over one of their key protocols.
The French Tennis Federation held an online press conference on Monday outlining their plans for the clay-court major, and what restrictions will be in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last Friday France recorded a record daily tally of new cases. One of the key requirements for players will be that they must stay in one of two hotels that has been approved by the French Tennis Federation (FFT).
Although Williams has stated that she would like to stay in private accommodation where she is usually based each year. This year’s US Open has allowed players to rent their own apartments as long as they agree to pay for 24-hour security to ensure their stay within the ‘bio-secure bubble’ that has been created in New York.
“I was hoping to stay at my apartment in Paris but I’m just taking it a day at a time,” Williams said following her fourth round win over Maria Sakkari.
“I feel for the French, they are doing the best that they can. Every organization, every country is trying to do the best that they can in this pandemic, so I can’t point fingers and tell them what to do because I’m not running the tournament.”
As part of her argument for private housing to be made available, Williams believes there is no reason to prohibit it if fans are allowed to attend the event. This year’s tournament is aiming to welcome up to 12,500 people each day with attendees split into three separate zones they can’t cross between.
The 38-year-old says her worries are due to ‘serious health issues’ she has. Williams suffered from a pulmonary embolism during the birth of her daughter Olympia and has a medical history of blood clots.
“If there are fans, then we should be able to stay elsewhere,” she said.
“It’s just for me I’m super conservative because I do have some serious health issues, so I try to stay away from public places because I have been in a really bad position in the hospital a few times.’
“So I don’t want to end up in that position again.”
Williams says her final decision will be based on her health but she appears to be learning more towards playing. She is a three-time champion at the French Open but last won the title back in 2015. In her two most recent appearances, she hasn’t been able to go beyond the fourth round.
“They have to make the best decision for them, and I have to do what’s best for me,” she concluded.
“I think it should be okay. I think there are a lot of factors that hopefully they are thinking about, and I’m sure that they are, as this is a global pandemic.’
“I still have some questions, but I’m really focused on New York but it’s kind of hard because these Grand Slams are so close to each other this year.”
The French Open will start at the end of this month.
