With just over three weeks until the start of the US Open there are fresh concerns over the participation of a string of top names in the Grand Slam.
Marca newspaper has reported that a secret meeting recently took place between the ATP, USTA and players via zoom over their concerns for the upcoming tournament. Involved in the meeting was Novak Djokovic, who is the president of the Players Council. It has emerged that the entire top 20 of the men’s Tour have threatened to withdraw from the event over one critical aspect of their travel to and from America.
Players are trying to seek clarity and assurance that when they leave America they will not have to go into a 14-day quarantine in Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously an agreement had been formed with Spanish officials to ensure this wouldn’t be the case, however the Madrid Open has now been cancelled. Leaving questions over what will happen to the players if they travel back to another country. Most of whom will be heading to Rome for the Italian Open, which is the only clay-court Masters event to take place this year.
Plans concerning the travel between the two continents are still unclear at this stage. This week at the Palmero Open in Italy players from Romania and Bulgaria have been allowed to bypass the 14-day quarantine recommendation. It is assumed that similar conditions will be given to players travelling into the country from New York providing they follow the right protocols. The only issue for players is that nothing is yet to be set in stone.
This year’s US Open is taking place behind closed doors for the first time in history with players being kept in a ‘bubble.’ They will be subjected to regular testing and restricted as to where they can travel to in New York.
So far only one male player in the top 20 has pulled out of the event due to concerns related to Covid-19. 2019 champion Rafael Nadal said earlier this week he would not be defending his title due to the ‘complicated situation.’
“After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open. The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it,” Nadal wrote on Instagram.
“This is a decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I rather not travel.”
Others are on the entry list, but are yet to formally announce that they will for certain be taking the part. The most notable of those is Djokovic, who is reportedly expected to make the decision within the next couple of days. It is unclear if the world No.1 is waiting to hear back from the outcome of the Zoom meeting before he commits. Meetings between players and the ATP are kept confidential with only limited amounts of information being made public.
The US Open is set to start on August 31st.
