The US Open tennis should take place. Threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic, the prestigious North American meeting should take place as planned in New York from August 31 to September 13, in camera, subject to the green light from government authorities, several media reports on Monday June 15.
US Open will happen per ESPN and Forbes.
Official announcement expected today. https://t.co/vQrikZrmry
Expected that same day, the decision to maintain or not the grand slam tournament at the same place and dates, could however not be communicated until midweek by the American Federation (USTA), says the New York Times, citing official sources on condition of anonymity.
In the meantime, according to ESPN and Forbes, the USTA has seen its plan approved by the male ATP and female WTA circuits, which put their season on hold until the end of July.
No qualification, double truncated
The idea is to remove the singles qualifications and reduce the table of doubles from 64 pairs to 24.
In addition, the Cincinnati Masters 1000 (August 16-23) would be moved to Flushing Meadows, to link it with the US Open. This would constitute an unprecedented "double header", almost a month long, in order to concentrate players in New York without having them travel.
"We think it's a good plan for the sport and for the tennis economy," said Eric Butorac, director of player relations for the USTA, last week.
And for good reason: his body has just launched an economic plan which led to the dismissal of 110 employees. A cancellation of the US Open would inevitably worsen its situation given that out of its $ 485 million in annual turnover, 400 were generated last year by this event alone thanks to sponsors, broadcasters and the ticket office.
With AFP
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