At the moment, tennis remains one of the few sports whose fate in connection with the coronavirus pandemic has not yet been decided. Most of all questions are caused by holding the final Grand Slam tournament of the season - US Open, which is due to take place from August 31 to September 13.
The first racket of the world Novak Djokovic said that he talked with the leaders of world tennis about the US Open on the appointed dates. According to him, from the conversation it became known what the organizers of the competition are ready to do to ensure the safety of its participants.
“Those rules that, according to them, we will have to follow in order to be able to play at the championship in New York are too strict. We will not be able to get to Manhattan, we will have to sleep in airport hotels, take tests two or three times a week. In addition, it will be possible to take only one person with you, which is absolutely impossible. Everyone needs a mentor, physical training coach, physiotherapist, ”Djokovic quotes Yahoo Sports with reference to Blic Online.
Serb called the measures listed strict, but emphasized that he understands the motives of the US Tennis Association (USTA), which is looking for ways to conduct a tournament. If the major is canceled, the organizers will suffer significant financial losses.
Skeptical about the holding of the US Open, last year’s winner Rafael Nadal also spoke out, who has repeatedly expressed fears that the season will not resume after a pause.
“The situation is not the best. If you ask me today if I want to go to New York and play, I will answer negatively. But I don’t know how the situation will change in the next couple of months. Hope will improve. I am convinced that the organizers, USTA, want the tournament to be safe. I am sure that they will make the right decision so that if the tournament does take place, it will be held in safe conditions. Otherwise, it makes no sense. We need to show responsibility, ”Nadal quotes Ubitennis.
A similar position was expressed by the first racket of the world in the women's category Ashley Barty. She emphasized that she had to make sure that the trip to the USA was safe both for herself and for her team.
"I am glad that they are talking about tennis again and that everything is going to resume the competition, but before deciding to participate in the games taking place in the USA, I need to get acquainted with all the information and consult with the WTA and USTA," said Barty to The Sidney Morning Herald.
It is expected that the situation with US Open will clear up on June 10. According to media reports, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has already sent out special questionnaires about the major. Athletes must decide whether they agree to the terms and conditions provided.
The organizers of the Grand Slam tournament have repeatedly emphasized that the health of tennis players is a priority for them. In connection with the continuing danger of the spread of coronavirus and the particularly tense situation in New York, a number of risk reduction measures have already been proposed.
So, the USTA intends to reduce the number of crossings in the United States that traditionally are made by tennis players on the eve of the major. The fact is that the US Open is preceded by a North American series of tournaments taking place in several cities. In particular, the “masters” in Cincinnati, starting on August 16, are invited to move from Ohio to New York.
“The regulation does not indicate what to do in such a situation. But to hold two tournaments in one place is definitely the right decision, because it will be a little easier to control some things, ”the New York Times quoted American tennis player Bethany Mattek-Sands.
In addition, the organizers are ready to provide special charters that will deliver athletes to New York.
The changes will affect the matches themselves. Players can be allowed to communicate with coaches, and due to the long absence of competitive practice, men's meetings can be reduced from five to three sets. In addition, a decrease in the number of line judges is possible, and adult children will take the place of bolbo children.
In addition, it is expected that, following the example of other sports, the US Open can pass without spectators. At the same time, all participants in the tournament, including stadium employees and members of teams of athletes, will have to take tests for coronavirus. Moreover, citizens of other countries will be required to undergo examinations before arriving in the United States to make sure they have no disease.
In order to avoid a large crowd of people, tennis players will have to reserve locker rooms and training courts in advance.
According to the Russian Darya Kasatkina, matches without spectators will lose their atmosphere, but empty stands are better than a complete lack of tournaments.
“Yes, everything will be different, but the main thing is that we will play at the Grand Slam tournament, and it does not matter with or without spectators. If I’m not mistaken, Marine Cilic said that winning the US Open with empty stands is a completely different feeling. It's true. But at least it will be a special moment that will forever remain in history, ”said Kasatkina.
Croatian Donna Vekic also expressed her readiness to hold meetings in this format. At the same time, she doubts the restrictions on the number of tennis teams.
“I just can’t imagine how this is possible, and how high-class players will accept such conditions,” Vekic said.
The tennis season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March. As for the rest of the Grand Slam tournaments, it is currently known about the abolition of Wimbledon. The organizers of Roland Garros intend to hold competitions in Paris from September 20 to October 4.