The American city most affected by the coronavirus will host the United States Open as planned. It is a relief.
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Balles neuves: after a forced interruption of more than four months because of the coronavirus, world tennis will resume its rights with the US Open, without a spectator but with which stars?
First major defection, that of Romanian Simona Halep: the former world No. 1 prefers to focus on Roland-Garros, rescheduled at the end of September. Not yet enough to spoil the good news, given by the governor of New York on Twitter: “The US Open will be held in Queens, NY, behind closed doors, August 31 through September 13. “. “The American Federation (USTA) will take extraordinary precautions to protect players and staff, including regular testing, increased cleaning of the venue, additional locker room space, dedicated accommodation and transportation.”, listed Andrew Cuomo.
Almost a month there
The USTA immediately displayed its satisfaction after so many uncertainties linked to the pandemic, which made the bet to maintain the tournament in the city most affected by the Covid-19. “We recognize the enormous responsibility of hosting one of the world’s premier sporting events in these difficult times, and we will do so in the safest way possible. “
These United States Open will be cut off from the singles qualifying, and the doubles roster will be reduced from 64 pairs to 32. The Cincinnati Masters 1000 has also been moved from August 22 to 28 to Flushing Meadows, for the follow up with the Grand Slam, in order to concentrate the players in New York for almost a month.
The maintenance of the US Open has something to relieve the USTA, which has just initiated a restructuring which resulted in the dismissal of 110 employees. Without an audience, revenues will be lower but offset by those from TV rights.
Strict conditions but not unlivable
Depending on the protocols, players will have the choice between staying in a hotel, where two double rooms will be reserved for them, or renting a house at their own expense, outside of Manhattan. They can therefore be accompanied by three members of their entourage. What to make much less “extreme” conditions thus qualified last week by the Serbian world n ° 1 Novak Djokovic, who had judged “impossible” to go to New York without his full staff.
Regarding the Covid-19 tests, players will have to perform one before their departure and throughout their stay, at a rate of one to two per week. Daily temperature measurements, wearing masks and social distancing will be required. What convince Djokovic and the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who recently considered unthinkable to “Resume until the situation is completely certain”
? The next few days will show it, while, in their equation, Roland-Garros (September 27 – October 11) and the prospect of a complicated sequence are added.
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