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Post by Admin on Jun 18, 2020 20:15:54 GMT
The US Open was granted permission by the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to hold the tournament as per schedule. And Andreescu’s North American counterparts Serena Williams and John Isner have announced that they will take part in this year’s US Open.
Andreescu also confirmed her participation hours after Serena’s announcement. She said she trusts the USTA for their plans to ensure safety for players and the organizers. The tournament is set to take place behind closed doors.
“I have no doubt that the USTA has come up wit h the best plan to ensure our safety as we look to the return of tennis in 2020,” said Bianca Andreescu.
“The decision, I know was not made lightly and I completely support and understand every player’s personal opinions on the matter,” Said the World No.6.
Earlier Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had uncertainties on their participation given the situation in the US.
Andreescu has stressed the importance of safety and that has to be the priority when tennis restarts.
“I can’t stress enough that the health and safety of, not only the players but of all those involved in making tennis happen again this season is and has always been, of the utmost importance,” said the Canadian.
Andreescu won her first grand slam in the 2019 US Open at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. She became the first Canadian male or female to win a grand slam title.
Andreescu ended the message in a positive and optimistic tone. She told everyone that she will try to bring back the tennis we know and ensure it reaches safely for everyone.
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Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2020 19:23:10 GMT
We had reported earlier that the US Open was all set to take place amidst the coronavirus pandemic. However, for logistical, financial, and safety reasons, some events were dropped.
These included the wheelchair event, mixed doubles event, and the Junior event. Apparently, the level of communication with the stakeholders was kept to a minimum. World number one wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott has taken strong opposition to this decision.
As per him, not only is this is a discriminatory decision, it was also taken without consulting the players. He felt, and rightly so, that the world’s best player should have at least been consulted before taking such a big decision. He went on a diatribe on Twitter.
The Australian tennis legend reiterated that he is as good as anyone and doesn’t need special treatment.
“Just got announced that the US Open will go ahead WITHOUT wheelchair tennis.. Players weren’t consulted. I thought I did enough to qualify – 2x champion, number 1 in the world. But unfortunately I missed the only thing that mattered, being able to walk. Disgusting discrimination.”
“And please do not tell me I am a ‘greater risk’ because I am disabled. I am disabled yes but that does not make me SICK. I am fitter and healthier than nearly everybody reading this right now. There are no added risks.”
“And for sure there are far more important things going on in the world, but that choice should’ve been up TO ME. It is blatant discrimination for able bodied people to decide on my behalf what i do with my LIFE AND CAREER just because I am disabled. Not good enough.”
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Post by Admin on Jun 20, 2020 3:08:57 GMT
Serena Williams is at the centre of ‘favouritism’ claims after it emerged the US Open has allowed her to have its new surface installed at her home tennis court.
On Thursday Serena confirmed her participation in the New York grand slam amid growing unrest from fellow players.
Tennis players won’t get a chance to play on the new surface for another two months, however Serena has been allowed to have it installed on a brand-new court at her home.
“I can confirm the surface provided by Laykold for the 2020 US Open and Western & Southern Open was shipped to Serena’s house,” said US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster.
“She’s got a new court in her backyard. So she has been training.
“She will be playing (in the tournament) and she’s excited to come back.”
Tennis writer Rene Denfeld was shocked by Allaster’s revelation.
“I am not sure why Allaster was quite so forthcoming about that. Ho hum,” he tweeted.
A number of other writers and pundits were also taken aback.
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Post by Admin on Jun 27, 2020 19:27:20 GMT
Already players were skeptical in attending the grand slam but this new wave of cases will surely put everyone on alert. Many players are assessing the situations but this new coverage has made things harder for the USTA.
“It’s insane to conduct the US Open now” – Kirsten Flipkens
Former WTA World No.13 Kirsten Flipkens also questioned USTA’s stand in conducting the US Open. She has serious doubts over how they will handle if a player tests positive. And with Djokovic also affected there is general state of panic.
“Is it just me or is it insane US Open is still planning to go ahead? Players testing positive on COVID19, so basically if 1 person tests positive at the US Open, everyone needs to quarantine for 2 weeks right? Which means they only then cancel the tournament or what?” she tweeted.
Kirsten feels it’s insane now to conduct the tournament as risks have seemingly increased. The situation in the US is worsening regarding the Coronavirus.
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Post by Admin on Jun 29, 2020 19:17:27 GMT
As Rafael Nadal was described as wavering over defending his US Open title or preparing for an assault on a 13th Roland Garros, Britain's Andy Murray said Saturday he fears for the safety of top players as tennis emerges from its five-month coronavirus lockdown. Tennis has been on ice since mid-March and will not return until early August. The US Open will run from August 31 to September 13 on the hard courts of New York with the rescheduled French Open on clay taking place just a fortnight after. In between are Masters events in Madrid and Rome, both on clay and also rescheduled from the spring. "I have spoken to Rafa and he is doubting which tournaments to play," Nadal's uncle - and long-time former coach - Toni told ESPN Deportes. "The schedule is unrealistic, especially for veteran players, who cannot compete for so many weeks in a row. "I think it is a bit ugly what the ATP has done. This decision is totally against players like Rafa and Novak Djokovic." Murray, meanwhile, expressed his fears over player safety in quickly switching from surface to surface. He suggested that a rankings rethink might be a solution. "It's not safe for players to go from the semis or final in New York, quarters even, and then you're playing on the Tuesday in Madrid at altitude on the clay court, when players haven't competed for a very long time," said Murray. "None of the top players have competed a week before a Slam. The rankings, if you can keep the points as they are, could get a bit skewed." Murray added: "It might be worth potentially looking at a two-year ranking for the time being so that the guys who did well last year and are not able to defend their points properly aren't punished.
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