Los Angeles (AFP)
A final decision on whether or not to maintain the US Open, scheduled for August 31 to September 13 in New York, will be made in June, the American Tennis Federation (USTA) announced Thursday, adding that its in camera session is "highly unlikely".
"We are fortunate to be the fourth Grand Slam tournament (in calendar order), so time is of the essence for us at this point," said USTA General Manager Mike Dowse. a press conference with the press.
"We are looking at the right time in June to make our decision, which will be based on the advice of five or six doctors we consult. Obviously, our ambition is to organize the tournament. But the determining factor will be health and good - be players, fans and our staff, "he continued.
If the US Open is maintained, Mike Dowse does not imagine that the tournament takes place without spectators.
"It is a very improbable scenario. It is not in the spirit of a celebration of tennis", he argued while ensuring not to exclude having to play behind closed doors.
Still, a last problem may arise in terms of timing, because the organizers of Roland Garros, originally scheduled for late May, postponed the event to September 20 in Paris. Just one week after the theoretical end of the US Open.
The players would then be faced with an unprecedented close sequence between two Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon having been canceled this year because of the Covid-19.
Currently, New York remains the area most affected by the pandemic in the United States, where there are more than 31,000 dead, including 10,800 in the "Big Apple".
© 2020 AFP