Now Madrid is shaking again - huge
The USTA wants to hold on to the tournaments in New York City at all costs. For other events, however, it looks worse again.
by red / SID
last edit: Aug 01, 2020, 03:43 pm
The good news first: Anyone who gets information on the official app from WTA and ATP actually gets to see a real tableau. The draw for the qualification in Palermo is out, so it actually seems to start again in professional tennis (even if it was announced this Saturday that a player had tested positive for COVID-19). The organizers of the US Open also reaffirmed that the target date should be held at the end of August, including the Cincinnati tournament, which is also scheduled in New York City.
"Working with our medical advisory group, security team, and New York State, we have developed a strong health and safety plan to reduce the risk of infection in the closed area of the tournament grounds and player hotels," said USTA: "We continue to be confident and it is our top priority that the health and safety of everyone at the tournaments is guaranteed despite recent developments. "
The Generali Open in Kitzbühel is also scheduled to take place from September 7th to 13th. Ticket sales start on Monday.
Madrid with the dimensions of a grand slam tournament
On the other hand, the combined event in Madrid, which is to be held immediately after the US Open from September 13 to 20, seems to be worse. The Spanish Minister of Health, for example, sent the organizers, and in particular Feliciano Lopez, a letter in a friendly but firm urge to finally cancel the event at the Caja Magical. It would be the second cancellation for this year, the second edition of the final tournament in the Davis Cup was canceled several weeks ago (even if not only the corona pandemic should have played a role - but also financial bottlenecks of the organizing agency around Barcelona -Star Gerard Piqué).
While for three weeks a bubble is created at the US Open that players are basically not allowed to leave, the situation in Madrid is probably much more complicated. Especially since the question is still not answered what should happen to participants arriving from the USA: Quarantine or not? And since the event managed by Ion Tiriac for women and men is one of the largest on the calendar, the field of participants regularly reaches dimensions like a Grand Slam tournament. The same applies to Rome (September 20-27). There should be played there in the week to Madrid. And definitely without a spectator. In any case, they want to work closely with the authorities, the ATP and the WTA, according to the Tiriac office, Super Slam Limited.
If Madrid was actually canceled, a door could open for a stop in Germany: the organizers at Rothenbaum in Hamburg have often signaled great flexibility in terms of appointments.