Paris (AFP)
Forgotten confinement, forgotten exhibitions of all kinds, tennis, the real one, will resume in August after 4 months of stoppage: women from the 3rd in Palermo (Italy), the gentlemen on the 14th in Washington, before continuing the US Open (August 31) and Roland-Garros (September 27).
The first to express her satisfaction was the queen of Flushing Meadows Serena Williams, still looking for a 24th major title that would allow her to equal the Margaret Court record: "I can't wait to come back to New York and play US Open 2020, "she said in a video released by the American Federation (USTA) Wednesday when the conditions under which the American Grand Slam were to be played were announced.
She also had a court built "in her garden" with the same surface as those of Flushing Meadows to put the odds on her side, said tournament director Stacey Allaster.
Businesswoman and full-time mom, the youngest sister Williams (38), should not play the first two tournaments on the new schedule published Wednesday by the WTA and which are of international level, the weakest on the circuit pro female. However, it should be on deck in New York from August 21 since Flushing Meadows will host the relocated Cincinnati tournament (WTA Mandatory first and ATP Masters 1000) the week before the US Open.
Before getting there, players will be able to return to competition during the ATP 500 in Washington.
- What happens after Roland-Garros? -
For the moment, the men's circuit recovery schedule stops after Roland-Garros on October 11, but "ATP continues to study all the options to add ATP 500 and 250 tournaments if circumstances allow," adds the instance.
A calendar update is planned for mid-July "with a possible Asian tour before the European indoor tour" including the London Masters which brings together the eight best players of the season.
On the contrary, the WTA has published a calendar going until the end of the year with the Masters scheduled for November 9 in Shenzhen (China).
But what would Masters be worth with players who could only decide on a handful of tournaments? Especially since the ATP and WTA rankings were frozen in March like the circuits ...
The authorities will decide "in the coming weeks" how to relaunch "as fairly as possible" these rankings.
The equity problem arises all the more since the US Open will not offer qualifications, leaving dozens of players not at the top of the basket no chance of winning points and money . One week after the American final, Roland-Garros will offer him qualifications and will take place with the public, promised the president of the French Federation (FFT) Bernard Giudicelli.
- Compensation -
The USTA clarified that the two tournaments played in New York, a city particularly hit by the coronavirus, would be behind closed doors, which would cause a loss of 80% of its operating revenues. However, it releases a purse of $ 60 million covering prize money for the two tournaments, accommodation and compensation up to $ 6.6 million (3.3 for men and as much for women) for players who could not play the qualifications of the US Open.
This sum is to be used at discretion by ATP and WTA to directly compensate injured players or organize Challenger tournaments (2nd division), explained Stacey Allaster.
If Serena Williams has confirmed his arrival, Novak Djokovic (N.1 world), the defending champion Rafael Nadal (2nd) and Simona Halep (2nd world), in particular, left a doubt as to their participation because of the related risks coronavirus and the discomfort of the conditions imposed by the organization. Not to mention Roger Federer who has drawn a line under the season.
But will Djokovic (17 Grand Slam titles) and Nadal (19) miss a chance to get closer to the record for 20 major titles held by the Swiss?
"We have 59 days left before the tournament. We are going to have a lot of discussions with the players to make them understand our plan. We will have an incredible star plateau!" promised Allaster.
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