Angelique Kerber: US Open with reservations - Bianca Andreescu included
Angelique Kerber has signaled her willingness to participate in the US Open - but with reservations. "If I have the impression that the security of everyone in New York is guaranteed, that the general conditions are right, then I can start," said the 32-year-old in her weekly podcast "Lunch Break with Angie Kerber".
by SID
last edit: Jun 18, 2020, 11:09 am
Against the background of the corona pandemic, she will observe the developments in the coming weeks, "especially in the USA", very closely: "Of course we want to play again as soon as possible, but first of all it is about the safety of everyone involved that is guaranteed is my top priority. "
Kerber does not currently see that only one accompanying person is allowed as a major problem. "It will be a long time until the end of August, let's see how the rules will ultimately be, how many people you can bring and how many are allowed on the system," she said in the podcast of her sponsor Generali. However, the conditions should be fair "and the same for everyone".
Kerber has been back in training for some time now, "Fitness, tennis, actually a normal preparation". Because of the longer break she had "hard work" in front of her, but: "I've really paused long enough now."
Defending champion Bianca Andreescu agrees
After Serena Williams, defending champion Bianca Andreescu also gave her approval for the US Open (August 31 to September 13). The 20-year-old Canadian said that she "has no doubt that USTA has designed the best plan to make our security possible". Last year, Andreescu won her first Grand Slam title in the Flushing Meadows final against Williams.
With the permission of the state of New York, the hard court tournament can take place in the planned period, but spectators are not allowed. The qualification is also dropped. In order to guarantee the safety of the players in corona times, the event is carried out under strict safety precautions. Several top players had criticized this sharply.
The world number one Novak Djokovic, for example, mocked that only one companion per player should be allowed. The planned isolation of all participants in a hotel at JFK airport had also caused discomfort.
A few hours before Andreescu, Serena Williams had already confirmed her participation - and thus also surprised her trainer Patrick Mouratoglou. The latter had had great doubts and the BBC said that he "considered it unlikely that she would give up her daughter Olympia for three weeks".