This year’s US Open has officially been given the green light after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo approved plans put forward by the USTA.
The grand slam will get underway on August 31st at the usual venue of Flushing Meadows amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. New York City has recorded more than 210,000 cases and 17,000 deaths related to the virus. The announcement had been widely expected with the USTA already establishing agreements with both the ATP and WTA.
“We’re excited about the US Open, (which) is going to be held in Queens, Aug. 31 through Sept. 13. It will be held without fans, but you can watch it on TV — and I’ll take that,” Cuomo said at his daily briefing in Albany. “The tennis authorities are going to be taking extraordinary precautions, but that’s going to take place.”
It is expected that a series of measures will be implemented at the tournament, which has previously been described as ‘extreme’ by world No.1 Novak Djokovic. Players will be limited to how many members of their team they can bring to the venue, they will have to stay at hotels located near the airport and not be allowed to use the facilities in Manhattan.
Confirmation that no fans will be allowed at the Grand Slam has once again triggered speculation that a series of top players may choose to miss the event. Former champion Marin Cilic has said playing with no spectators could ‘devalue’ the tournament. Meanwhile, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova had previously said she would rather the event be cancelled than played without fans.
“I have my age and of course I would like to play another Grand Slam, but if it’s like this, I’d rather cancel them,” Kvitova said last month.
“Playing a Grand Slam is the greatest thing there is and playing without fans who are our engine doesn’t look nice to me and the Grand Slam doesn’t deserve it.” She added.
The announcement from Governor Cuomo comes on the same day one of the top players on the women’s tour is set to skip the event. World No.2 Simona Halep is reportedly planning to end her 2020 season by playing solely in Europe and potentially the WTA Finals in China if she qualifies, according to Pro TV Romania. Although this has not been officially confirmed by her team.
Clarification from Halep's team after today's Romanian report:
She's not yet officially out of anything since entries haven't even begun yet.
But "if the conditions are as set out on paper for US Open, as Simo has been consistent in saying, it's highly unlikely she will play."
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 16, 2020
Western and Southern Open also relocated
In an official press release issued by the USTA following the decision, chief executive Mike Dowse confirmed that the Western and Southern Open will also take place at Flushing Meadows prior to the US Open. The combined tournament is categorised as a Masters 1000 for the men and a Premier for the women.
“We are incredibly excited that Governor Cuomo and New York State have today approved our plan to host the 2020 US Open and 2020 Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” Dowse said in a statement.
“We recognize the tremendous responsibility of hosting one of the first global sporting events in these challenging times, and we will do so in the safest manner possible, mitigating all potential risks. We now can give fans around the world to watch tennis’ top athletes compete for a US Open title, and we can showcase tennis as the ideal social distancing sport.’
“Being able to hold these events in 2020 is a boost for the city of New York and the entire tennis landscape.”
The idea behind the relocation of Cincinnati is to minimise players having to travel around America. Meaning that they will essentially be kept inside a ‘bubble’ over four or five weeks. They will also be subjected to numerous testing throughout their stay.
The USTA will outline their full plans, including the restrictions players will face, for both tournaments on Wednesday. The same day where it is expected that both the ATP and WTA will published their schedules for the remainder of the 2020 season.
