US Open Update: Qualification not planned, charter flights canceled - decision on June 15
Despite WTA intervention, USTA appears to be sticking to its plan to hold the US Open without a qualifying tournament. The French Open, on the other hand, seem to want to qualify, but will postpone their tournament for another week.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jun 13, 2020, 09:01 pm
The WTA had made a "decisive request" to carry out the US Open qualification, but was not fruitful, as tennisnet.com found out. The size of the draws seems unchanged at the moment: 120 players should be in the main field, 8 via wildcard, a qualification should be canceled. This was communicated to the players on Friday in an online meeting of the WTA.
The idea of organizing collective charter flights from certain destinations - such flights were planned from Paris, Frankfurt or Vienna, Dubai and Toronto - seems to be off the table. The reason: too expensive. There should now be a maximum of one travel allowance for the players.
The plan should continue that all players in New York should live in the same hotel with only one accompanying person. Private accommodation is also possible under certain conditions.
The hosting of the Cincinnati Masters tournament from August 21 to 28 in Flushing Meadows is still planned (with qualification on August 19 and 20). The US Open would then be held from August 31st to September 13th.
US Open and French Open: Announcement on June 15th
On June 15, a closed statement from the USTA, ITF, ATP and WTA is to come - with the decision in what form or whether the US Open will take place. Because even a complete cancellation still seems conceivable, especially after some top players - such as Novak Djokovic , Simona Halep - have expressed their displeasure about a scheduled event with restrictions. Roger Federer has already canceled his participation due to injury, and will only be on the tour again in 2021.
The details of the hosting of the French Open will also be published on June 15. It is currently planned to have the qualification from September 22nd to 26th, the main tournament from September 27th to October 10th - one week later than the original postponement date. This shift has been rumored for a long time, but it has not yet been officially announced. The new date would give the main players a break of at least two weeks between the two majors.