Feliciano López: “If we don't play, the ATP will not survive”

Feliciano López has been one of the last tennis players to comment on the current tennis situation before the ATP decides this Monday on the current schedule and on the celebration of the US Open. In an interview with The Guardian 'Feli' bets on the return of the circuit so that the ATP survives and asks the players for unity to face this situation. “I speak as a player but also as the director of a tournament and I can see the reality and how hard it is to survive in this crisis. It is hitting everyone and it is difficult to reach balance. That is what players must understand. It is urgent that the players play again. But if we don't have tournaments, the ATP may not survive. We need to be united. It is the only way to survive. “

López also analyzed the possible scenarios for the return of tennis and believes that playing without an audience will significantly influence the amount of player awards. “There are several scenarios. One of them is to play without an audience, so the reduction of prizes for the players will be important. The other is to be able to play with 30 or 40% of the public, and then the reduction will be less”, he said, while he believes that the Madrid Open could reach that balance and play with 40% of the capacity. 'Feli' also hopes that the lifting of borders will also speed up the return of tennis, although he said that this also depends on each country. “I think that in two weeks the borders and airports will reopen and we will be able to travel freely, or so I hope. We have to consider that there are several restrictions in Europe. For example, going to Austria is not the same as going to Germany. We are working on it”.

Feliciano López also analyzed the doubts that have arisen about the celebration of the US Open Following the statements of Novak Djokovic, who dropped his absence from the tournament if he could only go to the track with a member of his team. “Is it a sacrifice? Yes. But you will have physios in the tournament and possibly your team can wait for you at the hotel. It is a small sacrifice.”

'Feli' also analyzed the return to competition of his friend Andy Murray, with whom he won the Queen's tournament in doubles last year (Feli also won the singles title at Queen's last year). “We usually talk every two weeks. We usually write. Two days ago I was talking to him and he was looking forward to playing the US Open. He has started training again. I asked him about his hip, how he felt, and he said he is optimistic. I could race again and I cross my fingers for Andy to play again, of course. It would be great for everyone and especially for him. “