ATP tennis returns with an open tournament for absences

Without public and between strict sanitary measures (a single hotel, movement restriction, controls, reduction of companions, masks …) the men's tennis will be launched this Saturday (17:00, Movistar Deportes) officially in the Masters 1,000 of Cincinnati, which this year is played in the bubble set up by the US Federation in New York, where the US Open will be played immediately after (August 31 to September 13). In the tournament table is the number one in the world, Novak Djokovic, but not the two, Rafa Nadal, nor the four, Roger Federer. The Spaniard resigned from the American hard court tour due to doubts about the pandemic. “The health situation remains very complicated around the world in cases of COVID-19 and outbreaks that seem out of control”He wrote on social media. The Swiss ended the 2020 course after undergoing surgery for the second time to undergo arthroscopy in his right knee.

Other top companies like Monfils and Wawrinka also skip the New York bubble. Yes there will be Thiem, Medvedev, current Western & Southern Open champion, Tsitsipas, Zverev and Berrettini, young people who have a lot to gain and little to lose. The championship will not be a walk for Djokovic, who after a predictably easy start against Paul or a player from the previous one would have dangerous potential rivals such as Auger-Aliassime, Goffin and Medvedev on his way, before a hypothetical final against Thiem, in the which would be the revenge of the last game of the Australian Open, in which the Serbian won. On the other hand, the return of Andy Murray stands out. Pablo Carreño, who debuts this Saturday against Lajovic, and Bautista, who will do so on Sunday against Gasquet or a qualifier, are the Spanish tricks. Alejandro Davidovich, Pedro Martínez and Jaume Munar could not pass the previous one.

Lowest in the WTA draw

The absences in the WTA tournament draw are more striking if possible. Six of the top ten in the ranking will not play in the United States of their own accord, including the number one, Ashleigh Barty, and the two, Simona Halep. This situation favors the interests of other favorites such as Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams and Madison Keys, defending champion, and gives young Coco Gauff (16 years old) more chance. Garbiñe Muguruza and Carla Suárez miss the appointment due to injury, although both hope to participate in the US Open. Paula Badosa and Aliona Bolsava were eliminated in the previous one.