US Open, Tennis Officially Sets Return For August
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The US Open made it official earlier today announcing the tournament will be back on with afan-less 128-draw, 32-team doubles with no qualifying or any other events.
The event will follow a 56-draw Cincinnati Masters which will also be played at the BJK Tennis Center in Queen’s. Cincinnati will finish on August 28 with the US Open main draw to get underway as scheduled on August 31.
“These two events are the summer’s biggest tennis blockbusters in the U.S., and we are thrilled for the players, our fans, and all of our partners, that we will be able to mark the return of tennis,” said Mike Dowse, USTA Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. “These tournaments also serve as an inspiration to tennis players of all levels, encouraging them to get out and play, given the social-distancing nature of our sport.
“I can say our team looked at a dozen different options on how do we best address these three guiding principles. I can say, and I’m excited to say, the combination of the Western & Southern Open and the US Open here in New York checked all three of those boxes unequivocally.”
The US Open will have linesman and ball adults on the big courts, but only Hawkeye line calling and 3 ball adults on the outer courts.
And players will be tested for coronavirus upon arrival and then weekly.
With no fans, space on the NTC grounds will go back to the players.
“One of the benefits of no fans not joining us,” new TD Stacy Allaster said, “we have world-class facilities we can now use and share with them, whether that’s outdoor cafes, we’ll be able to use these suites sitting here in Arthur Ashe Stadium, lounges, space for the athletes to chill and prepare for their matches.
“As well, we will transform the South Plaza into a sports center. We know our international guests love football. Whether it’s football, basketball, golf, movie theaters, gaming, you name it, we will have an expansive experience for the athletes in between their training and their competition.”
The tournament will allow up to 3 guests per player at hotels, though total number on-site is still TBD. And players can forego the main two hotels (neither in Manhattan) and stay in houses if they so wish. So that’s good news for players with families like Serena Williams who has already committed to playing.
A message from 6x champ Serena Williams.
🎥: US Open IG pic.twitter.com/B6tH6yp62K
— Luis. (@serenapower_) June 17, 2020
“This announcement has been on my mind all day,” Serena said. “Ultimately I really cannot wait to return to New York and play the US Open 2020. I feel like the USTA is going to do a really good job of ensuring everything is amazing and evening is perfect and everyone is safe.
“It’s going to be exciting. It’s been over six months since a lot of us have played professional tennis. I’ll certainly miss the fans, don’t get me wrong. Just being out there in the New York crowd, hearing everyone cheer, I’ll miss that, getting me through some of those tough matches.
“This is crazy. I’m excited.”
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep are among those top players who have voiced their concerns over returning.
The ATP will re-open with the Washington event on April 14. Kitzbuhel will be held the second week of the US Open with Madrid, followed by Rome and then the French which moved a week later to September 27.
“Our objective has been to reschedule as many tournaments as possible and salvage as much of the season as we can,” said Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman. “It has been a truly collaborative effort and we hope to add more events to the calendar as the situation evolves. I would like to recognise our tournaments’ efforts to operate during these challenging times, as well as our players who will be competing under different conditions. At every turn, ensuring that the resumption of the Tour takes place in a safe environment will be paramount.”
The WTA opens with Palermo, Italy on August 3, then Cincinnati with a tournament expected to be named in between.
REVISED ATP MEN’S SCHEDULE
Aug 14 – Washington
Aug 22 – Cincinnati (in New York)
Aug 31 – US Open
Sep 8 – Kitzbuhel
Sep 13 – Madrid
Sep 20 – Rome
Sep 27 – French Open
REVISED WTA WOMEN’S SCHEDULE
Aug 3 – Palermo
Aug 10 – TBD
Aug 21 – Cincinnati (in New York)
Aug 31 – US Open
Sep 7 – Istanbul
Sep 14 – Madrid
Sep 21 – Rome, Strasbourg
Sep 27 – French Open
The ATP has not released the schedule of events beyond Paris. The WTA does have dates in place for their post-French Asian swing which as of now is back scheduled. As of now, the events in Canada, Winston-Salem and the women’s event in Washington have been cancelled.
At the lower levels, the ATP’s Challenger tour and ITF events will also resume in August with select events. A full schedule will be out later.
Entries for all events are said to be especially flexible and in flux. Points and prize money are expected for events.
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