US Open - who plays, who stays at home?
The US Open in New York faces an ordeal. The event should take place under the strictest hygiene rules - without spectators and perhaps without the top stars of the scene.
by SID / red
last edit: Jun 17, 2020, 02:49 pm
"Bravo!!!" - Boris Becker gave his express consent with three exclamation marks. At least Germany's tennis icon completely agrees with the decision to hold the US Open in New York regardless of the further development of the global corona pandemic: Without spectators, however, and given the strict hygiene rules, maybe without the top stars of the scene.
"The restrictions are too extreme," criticized Novak Djokovic, the world leader in the ranking, whose mouthpiece and distance rules for full stands and a subsequent party in a Belgrade disco had played no role in the recent Adriatic tour. However, before the new regulations became known, according to which it will be possible to live privately under certain conditions, Djokovic went on the offensive.
Ashleigh Barty, number one on the WTA Tour, has other reservations, safety is important to her, "and I don't know if it can be guaranteed 100%. I have concerns." Barty's compatriot Nick Kyrgios has little desire to start in New York City anyway.
Federer certainly not at the start due to an injury
World ranking second Simona Halep already indicated that she was highly unlikely to take part in New York, and Spain's clay court king Rafael Nadal, who also has the French Open in Paris after the US Open, is apparently more inclined to do without the US Open. Grand Slam record winner Roger Federer will certainly be missing, the Swiss already said goodbye to 2021 after a second knee arthroscopy.
Austria's top star Dominic Thiem has not yet declared, the question of whether points for the world rankings should be won at the US Open 2020, which will take place without a qualifying tournament, has also not yet been clarified. Players from the back regions of the tennis world would suffer a disadvantage because, as of now, there will ultimately be no alternative to collecting points.
World star Serena Williams has not yet commented personally. However, her coach Patrick Mouratoglou had already revealed before the decision on Tuesday that it would be difficult for him to imagine the 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner taking part. "I think it is unlikely that she will be without her daughter Olympia for three weeks," Mouratoglou told the BBC. Due to the conditions that have now been made public, Serena could spend the time during the tournament with her closest family.
Collins attacks Djokovic
In the case of poorly placed players, the negative attitude of the stars caused misunderstandings. A coach is enough, said the Englishman Dan Evans (ATP No. 28), and there was "no better way" to support players who were not as well placed in the ranking financially than to conduct a Grand Slam tournament. "This would be the right time for Novak and Rafa to help us make a living."
The Frenchman Richard Gasquet does not see it as "a catastrophe if you get along with a coach for three weeks. It is important that everyone from number 300 to number one can play again." The American Danielle Collins specifically attacked Djokovic. "If you've earned nearly $ 150 million in your career, it's easy to resist running the US Open," said the 2019 Australian Open semi-finalist: "For most of us, it would be important to get back to work It would be nice if number 1 would support us instead of spoiling us. "