US Open without qualification?
The planning for the US Open is in full swing. A likely scenario in 2020: the waiver of qualifications, to the displeasure of many players.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jun 06, 2020, 11:58 am
Just last week , the New York Times reported that the Masters tournament in Cincinnati may also be held in New York ahead of the US Open.
As tennisnet.com has now learned from WTA circles, the US Open also seems to want to forego a qualification. Players up to position 120 should be in the main field, in addition there would be eight wild cards.
An advantage for the players between 105th and 120th place, which should now serve directly in the main field instead of the qualification - a huge disadvantage for everyone between 120th and 250th place who could not play for a place in the main field.
US Open Plan: No qualification, small double field, no mixed
The ATP and WTA would fight for a qualification, but in the end the decision is probably up to the US Open itself. "It would be a good chance that the top 100 players would get up and say: either we play with qualification or even not. But that will probably not happen, "said a tour insider. "The US Open has less cost without qualification. And it's logistically easier."
A smaller double field (24 teams) is also planned, and mixed competition is to be avoided. There will be an official announcement on June 15.
In addition, charter flights from the different continents are to be organized for the players in order to bring them to New York in one go. Only one supervisor per player should be allowed. All players should also be accommodated in a hotel and only chauffeured to the facility for training and matches, always by the same driver. The tournament will probably take place without a spectator. The space gained on the course should be used to create a separate area for the players.
All of these measures are said to reduce the risk of corona infection.