WASHINGTON (US) – Serena Williams confirmed on Wednesday she will play the US Open, allaying fears that strict health protocols due to the COVID-19 outbreak could deter the game’s biggest names from competing.
Williams, in a video message played during a United States Tennis Association news conference to announce that its marquee tournament will be played from Aug. 31-Sept. 13 without fans, said she misses the excitement of competition.
“Ultimately, I really cannot wait to return to New York and play the U.S. Open 2020,” the seven-times champion said.
“I feel like the USTA is going to do a really good job of ensuring everything is amazing and everything is perfect and everyone is safe.”
A number of top players, including world number ones Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Australian Ash Barty along with reigning U.S. Open men’s champion Rafa Nadal, are among those who have expressed concerns about attending the US Open.
One sore issue is the number of support staff they can bring on site, which the USTA said it is trying to figure out.
The decision will affect the upper rank of players who travel with a coach, hitting partner, physiotherapist and fitness instructor.
“We understand the needs of athletes,” U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said during a video conference from the centre court at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “We just need to make sure that we navigate physical distancing and ensure that we keep everyone spread out and also everyone gets the proper training and preparation that they need.”
Allaster also said players who do not want to stay at one of the two designated hotels can rent homes in New York but not in Manhattan.
‘UNDERSTANDING THE RISK’
The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home to the event, will also host the Western & Southern Open, which is normally held in Ohio, from Aug. 22-28 as part of efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus.
For players, testing will be conducted before travelling to the United States and 1-2 times per week at both events along with daily temperature checks.
The tournament this year will not include a mixed doubles match. Players and guests must wear masks when onsite unless practising or competing.
There will be linespersons for matches inside both Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium but none on the other courts, where a chair umpire will work with the electronic line-calling system HawkEye Live.
Should an athlete test positive, the person will be isolated and cared for by a USTA medical professional who will determine whether treatment can be done at the hotel or a hospital.
“We all go into this understanding the risk and our responsibility,” Allaster said. “As in every year, the health and well being of our athletes, their safety is paramount to our medical team and it will be unwavering during this event.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field