The already famous New York bubble, set up in the Queens neighborhood to host the Cincinnati Masters 1,000 and the US Open, since August 22, continues its inexorable course despite the cancellation of the first American hard court mini-tournament, at the Citi Open in Washington. Even some tennis players who were reluctant to attend a few weeks ago, now show their willingness to be in American dates, especially in the Grand Slam of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. This is the case of former number one Andy Murray, who plans to return to activity after his return after undergoing hip surgery in January 2019 and suffering other discomforts, such as that of the knees, which prevented him from participating 100% in the first final phase of the Davis Cup last year in Madrid.
The Briton continues with a feeling of “apprehension” about the fact of traveling to New York, in the midst of a complicated situation due to COVID-19 in the United States. But now he says that he has changed “mentally” about the possibility of being on the tour and above all, of playing the US Open. “Four or five weeks ago, we were pretty skeptical,” Murray said on the eve of the Battle Of The Brits team tournament that his brother, Jamie, hosted at the Roehampton National Tennis Center. “The goal of my training last week and during this event is to try to get in shape for the United States Open. If it didn't play, my schedule would be different. Mentally, I plan to move on, but I'm still apprehensive.”added
“I was thinking of traveling somewhere beforehand to train in hot weather. But then the risk of contracting the virus increases, which means you can't train or travel for a couple of weeks, which could cast doubt on playing a Grand Slam. I hope I can move on, but if not, I also agree with that. It is not as if he is saying that he must move on anyway. We have to try to compete again when it is safe to do so, “explained the Scotsman, who gave as an example,” some sports have returned and seem to have worked quite well, such as soccer, for example “. “The problem for us is the journey. Let's hope we get tested before we get there, and once we get there. The players, the staff and everyone, we are in this safe bubble. Everything will be fine, that's my hope.”Murray says he is not sure if he will play the Southern & Western Open before the US Open. The last time I played the week before a Slam I was 19 years old. I'm not particularly interested in playing consecutively. “A Murray compatriot, Johanna Konta, has also declared herself in favor of being in the US Open.