On the last day of August the prestigious US Open will get underway in what will be a very different look compared to what has ever been seen before.
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world in tennis and the New York major is no exception. This year’s tournament will be held behind closed doors amid the potential risk of an outbreak if fans attended. To put this into perspective 732,663 people visited Flushing Meadows in 2019. Players are being kept in their very own bubble and will be subjected to regular testing. Even those who wish to rent private housing have to pay for 24-hour security to monitor their movement under an agreement with the tournament.
Unsurprisingly some have opted to skip the event all together despite the valiant efforts of the United States Tennis Association, who run the Grand Slam. The women’s tournament has been the hardest hit so far with a total of nine top 40 players pulling out. Among the absentees are potential title contenders Ash Barty, Kiki Bertens and Elina Svitoliva. All of whom are currently ranked inside the top 10.
“I understand and respect all the efforts they are putting to make it happen in a safe environment, but I still don’t feel comfortable to travel to the US without putting my team and myself at high risk,” world No.5 Svitolina recently said on Twitter.
There will still be an array of top names playing in New York with most eyes fixated on Serena Williams and if she will finally be able to match Margaret Court’s all-time record for most Grand Slam titles. Then there is the potential for the lower ranked or younger players to burst through the draw and capitalize on the absence of a series of top names.
Nevertheless, many of those travelling to America still have their own anxieties about what to expect at a major event being held under extraordinary circumstances. Victoria Azarenka will be playing in the main draw for the 13th time in her career. It was at the tournament where she claimed her first Grand Slam win back in 2006 and she is also a two-time finalist. The former world No.1 admits the various rules in place had made her doubt her decision to play this year.
“To be honest before coming here when we had all the calls with all the rules and the restrictions coming in it made me a little bit discouraged coming because it felt a little bit more. It’s good for your protection but at the same time, it felt a little bit like I’m not sure if I actually want to go. It will be tough to adjust.” Azarenka told reporters following her first round loss at the Top Seed Open on Tuesday.
The limitation of a player’s movement in New York will also be a challenge for some. Due to the pandemic, New York will also host the Western and Southern Open the week prior. Meaning some player’s will be kept inside the so-called bubble for three to four weeks.
Ons Jabeur is hoping for another fairytale run in a major following her Australian Open breakthrough. In Melbourne she reached the quarter-final in what was an historic first for an Arab female tennis player. Speaking to journalist Reem Abulleil, the world No.39 fears the restriction in her movement during the tournament could have a negative effect on her performance.
“I’m trying to figure out some stuff, trying to find a solution with my team to feel more free and more happy to go play [Cincy/US Open]. My game is about freedom and I don’t know how I can play if I’m stuck in a hotel room all the time,” she said.
“Of course I respect all the rules, social-distancing and disinfecting everything, but I feel like I’m more like that person if I get stuck somewhere, I wouldn’t be 100 per cent able to play.”
Johanna Konta echoes many of her rivals when she says the absence of the animated New York crowd will be a blow. Although for the Brit she is looking at the positive side of things during what is a unique time in history. Konta returned to competitive tennis this week but lost in the first round of the Lexington Open.
“I am not gonna lie, I love playing in front of a crowd. That is a massive part of what I love about the sport. So I’m 100% not going to be enjoying that gone. I will miss it. But on the flip side at least I get the opportunity to play that means more to me to get the opportunity to play whether there are crowds or not.” she said.
“To me what is the weirdest is the fact that we are going to play a tournament at Flushing Meadows which is not the US Open. I think that is going to be very bizarre,” Konta added.
Others find a silver lining to the new measures that will be in place. Karolina Pliskova could be the top seed this year if Simona Halep decides not to play in the event. The Romanian is set to make an announcement by the start of next week. For the Cezch the prospect of having to isolate in her room for hours is one that doesn’t faze her.
“I’ve decided I want to play and this shouldn’t be a problem,” Pliskova told the Czech News Agency. “I’m pretty tired. So I’m looking forward to closing my door… and being alone in my room for 24 hours.”
The US Open will start on August 31st.
List of women’s singles player withdrawals (as of 10/8/20)
1 Ash Barty AUS
5 Elina Svitolina UKR
7 Kiki Bertens NED
29 Qiang Wang CHN
30 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS
31 Barbora Strycova CZE
32 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS
34 Saisai Zheng CHN
38 Julia Goerges GER
74 Lin Zhu CHN
85 Anastasia Potapova RUS
92 Ana Bogdan ROM
97 Sam Stosur AUS
103 Shuai Peng CHN
108 Xiyu Wang CHN
118 Barbora Krejcikova CZE
