New York (AFP)

The field of players engaged in the US Open to take place behind closed doors, coronavirus forces, in the bubble of Flushing Meadows in New York (August 31-September 13), "exceeds the expectations" of the American Tennis Federation , organizer of the tournament.

"Given the context, we couldn't be happier. It exceeds our expectations," USTA President Michael Dowse said on a conference call.

“On the ladies' side, we have ten former winners, seven former world No. 1, 81 of the top 100 players in the WTA rankings. On the men's side, we have seven of the top ten players in the world, eight former tournament finalists, 90 of the Top 100 in the world, ”he said.

If the Grand Slam tournament has in its tables the world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem (No. 3), Daniil Medvedev (No. 5) and in particular the Czech Karolina Pliskova (No. 3), the Americans Sofia Kenin ( N.4), Serena Williams (N.9), many other stars have decided to skip the line because of the risks associated with the rampant pandemic in the United States.

Among them the world N.2 and title holder, Rafael Nadal, Gaël Monfils (N.9), Stan Wawrinka (N.17), as well as the world N.1 Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep (N.2) and the title holder, Bianca Andreescu (N.6).

Thirteen days before the kick-off of the US Open, which will take place in the wake of the Cincinnati tournament (August 22-29) relocated to the same site of the Billie Jean King National Center, "approximately 90% of the players have arrived in New York and are in residence, ”said Stacey Allaster, director of the Major.

Among the protocols put in place, in addition to those relating to tests, temperature measurements and social distancing to be respected, "a player must have integrated the bubble four days before his first game. For example, with regard to the Cincinnati tournament, s' he is not in the bubble on Tuesday, he will not be able to play on Saturday "the first day of the tournament," she warned.

This rule will also apply for the US Open, where moreover "any player who tests positive once the tournament has started will automatically forfeit and observe a quarantine period, because in this specific case it is the Department of Health of the State of New York which imposes it and not the USTA, specified Mike Dowse.

© 2020 AFP