Los Angeles (AFP)

Tennis officially returns on Monday in the United States, despite the persistent coronavirus pandemic, with the tournament in Lexington (Kentucky), the first edition of which behind closed doors is offered by Serena Williams, her sister Venus, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff or Victoria Azarenka.

The low endowment - 202,250 dollars - and the category - the most modest on the circuit - of this new event on the calendar did not put off these players, who were above all anxious to return to competition, five months after the interruption of the competition. WTA season which was finally able to restart in Palermo at the beginning of the week.

Because, in sight, it is especially a question of preparing the US Open to take place from August 31 to September 13, and which will be preceded only by the tournament of Cincinnati, relocated to New York (21-28 August) .

Since March 8, the players have had to observe 150 days of forced weaning, except for those who have participated in exhibitions.

"I lived a bit like a recluse," said Serena Williams on Saturday.

"I started social distancing in early March. I don't have optimal breathing capacity, so I don't know what would have happened if I had had the Covid. And I don't want to know that." , continued the 38-year-old star, who has a history of pulmonary embolisms.

- "It will be fun" -

"I have about 50 masks that I travel with, I never want to do without them again. Health wise, I pay close attention to what I do," she added, admitting to having "been a little neurotic. "during this recent period.

Even if the 23 Grand Slam winner was able to continue training at home - "my husband made me build a court, it's my own sanctuary," she joked - nothing like it that the matches to recover a semblance of normality and especially a certain level of competitiveness.

"We all got to rest, it's going to be fun and interesting to see how we play," concluded Williams, who will be the No. 1 seed at Lexington and the favorite to beat.

On the competition side, the world No. 9 will start off smoothly, since it will be opposed to her compatriot Bernarda Pera (60th in the world). In case of victory, she could find in the second round, either her sister Venus or the Belarussian Victoria Azarenka.

"You can train for as long as you want, but nothing beats the matches," said Azarenka, who knows what to expect in terms of a calm atmosphere, she who has played behind closed doors at Charleston, end of June.

"I miss the competition. I appreciate tennis differently. My love for tennis has never left me, but the motivation, which can vary enormously, I have lost it several times," added the two-time winner of the tournament. 'Australian Open, dropped to 58th place in the world.

If Serena Williams sees herself "really playing" after New York at Roland Garros at the end of September, "if the tournament takes place", Azarenka she prefers "to wait and see how the US Open goes, which will serve as a test." We will see how the new standard will work, "she concluded.

© 2020 AFP