The US Open is already at work. After closing the field hospital mounted on its premises to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Grand Slam works against the clock in a series of measures that safely guarantee the viability of the tournament, since his intention is to keep the dates he finally set for this year: from August 24 to September 13.
Among the different scenarios are contemplated charter flights for players (with limited locations to travel from Europe, South America and the Middle East), COVID-19 test, daily temperature controls, fewer track operators and only adult ball boys, physical therapists and technical staff provided by the tournament, without access to changing rooms, etc. And Stacey Allaster, executive director of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), spoke about it on the portal. Tennis.com: “All of this is still flowing. We haven't made any decisions at all, but there will be a combination of health questionnaires, daily temperature controls and some nasal, saliva or antibody tests. We are 150% focused on organizing a safe environment to hold a US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on our dates. The idea of an alternative place, an alternative date … we have a responsibility to explore it, but it doesn't have much momentum. “
As for dates, Allaster acknowledged that the final announcement could arrive between mid-end of June, so there is little time left to know the final destination of the US Open. Meanwhile, the ATP circuit remains paralyzed until July 31, while the WTA he could return in late June if the Charleston tournament goes ahead. What seems practically certain in the case of the US Open is that its celebration will be without public, as Lew Sherr said, USTA Director of Revenue, to the AP agency: “It is less and less likely to be played with the public. Give up ticketing revenue, give up a portion of your sponsorship revenue … But the television fees and digital rights, plus the remaining sponsorship dollars, are significant enough that it is worth going through with a US Open without fans. “ In a few weeks we will leave doubts …