The world coronavirus pandemic has drastically modified the panorama of the sports activities world. Beginning with a worldwide shutdown of sports activities in March adopted with the return of American sports activities leagues this summer time, there have been quite a few modifications to the methods sports activities have resumed, and internet hosting sporting occasions with out followers in attendance for well being and security causes has been a serious change.
The 2020 US Open tennis tournament will be part of the WNBA, NBA and MLB to host an occasion with none followers. It's going to be a US Open tournament in contrast to some other.
Here are the modifications that can make this year's US Open traditionally completely different than these of years previous:
Impact of the 2020 schedule modifications
In a standard yr, tennis' Grand Slams are performed in this order:
- Australian Open in mid January
- French Open in late May
- Wimbledon in late June
- The season concludes with the US Open in late August
This yr, nonetheless, the US Open is simply the second Grand Slam of the 2020 season. The final and solely Slam this yr was the 2020 Australian Open six months in the past, which noticed Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin take residence the singles titles. Wimbledon, scheduled to start on June 29, turned the primary main to announce its cancellation. Meanwhile, the French Open introduced a rescheduling of their 2020 tournament. They pushed again from their authentic May begin to late September.
The US Open is barely postponed, only one week from the unique begin date. The New York-based tournament is being held from Aug. 31 by way of Sept. 13. With these scheduling modifications, the French Open is ready to start simply two weeks after the conclusion of the US Open.
So now, due to the coronavirus' influence on the skilled tennis circuit this yr, gamers won't solely must bear a fast turnaround if they're hoping to compete in each majors (the final of 2020), however they should additionally make the transition from arduous court docket to clay, which may very well be notably difficult contemplating the variations in technique and footwork between the 2 surfaces. Then you additionally throw in an added layer of complexity for gamers present process worldwide journey amid the coronavirus pandemic.
No followers in Flushing this yr
The US Open -- held on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center -- is thought for its electrical ambiance yr after yr. Lacking the thrill from an at all times vigorous New York crowd, this year's US Open can be in contrast to some other. Normally, as much as 30,000 followers go to the Billie Jean King Center every day all through the two-week lengthy occasion.
This yr, gamers and their teaching groups -- together with broadcast companions and tournament workers -- would be the solely individuals allowed on-site. Players and their groups (restricted to 3 individuals) will bear every day coronavirus testing throughout their time on the tournament, they usually're all arrange in a "controlled environment," just like the NBA's one-location "bubble" or the NHL's two-city hub, on Long Island and in Queens, New York. All these concerned can be required to put on masks and cling to the social distancing guideline of staying six toes aside.
Some gamers, like teen Coco Gauff, is not letting the fan-less matches have an effect on her.
"I mean, it's still tennis, the same court, the same balls, regardless if there's fans or not," Gauff advised the media on Friday. "I'm still going to compete just as hard, regardless if there are fans or not."
World No. 3 Dominic Thiem predicts that the lack of followers' power on the US Open can be felt.
"Tennis is such a mental sport, and I guess it makes it way more difficult without fans." Thiem stated.
In specific, Thiem famous the mainstay court docket on the Billie Jean King Center, Arthur Ashe Stadium. It's the biggest stadium on the advanced, and the biggest tennis stadium on this planet, for that matter, with a capability of 23,771. The roar of an Ashe crowd is just unbeatable when in comparison with the crowds of different Grand Slams, because of the stadium's sheer dimension.
"Because just imagine playing in the fifth set on Arthur Ashe, night session, way past midnight and in a normal year, you get so much energy from the fans, they give you so much," Thiem stated. "Now, in an empty stadium maybe your coach and your team is there, but these are the only people, it makes it very, very lonely, very, very tough. It's going to be a very interesting thing to experience. But it's the same for everybody, and the one who will do it the best, who will manage these special circumstances the best will be the one who lifts the trophy at the end."
Big names are sitting out
Not each participant can be making the journey to New York. Several prime tennis stars have made the choice to decide out of the tournament, with many citing coronavirus considerations as the rationale.
On the lads's aspect, probably the most notable absences can be No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal and No. 4 Roger Federer. Nadal cited the coronavirus pandemic nonetheless not being below management, and stated he didn't really feel it could be secure to take part. Federer will miss the US Open resulting from his continued rehab from knee operations earlier this yr. No. 40 Nick Kyrgios additionally will not be readily available.
For the ladies's aspect, six of the WTA's prime 10 gamers won't be collaborating in this year's US Open:
- No. 1 Ashleigh Barty
- No. 2 Simona Halep
- No. 5 Elina Svitolina
- No. 7 Kiki Bertens
- No. 8 Belinda Bencic
Defending champion Bianca Andreescu may even miss the tournament, resulting from a knee damage.
While a few of the star energy can be lacking this yr, two of the game's veterans are among the many favorites to win all of it. Former US Open champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are the highest picks to take residence the 2020 US Open singles titles. Djokovic, 33, can be aiming for his 18th Grand Slam title whereas Williams, 38, will as soon as once more attempt to tie Margaret Court's all-time grand slam report of 24.
The US Open will see returns from former prime gamers
Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray will make his return to New York for the primary time in two years after battling by way of a lingering proper hip damage (Murray underwent hip surgical procedures in 2018 and 2019). The latter, "Birmingham hip" (BHR) operation, a substitute for a full hip substitute, concerned inserting a steel cap over the femur. Since then, Murray has been in a position to return to taking part in tennis at a high-level, and he is lastly taking part in pain-free. Murray has one US Open championship on his resume, a five-set defeat over Novak Djokovic again in 2012.
Another acquainted identify making a comeback is Kim Clijsters. The former World No. 1 is returning to the game of tennis as soon as once more. Clijsters, 37, is a two-time retiree and he or she's now eight years eliminated since her second retirement again in 2012. Her first retirement got here on the age of 23-years-old in 2007. She'll be a wild-card entry and maintain an unranked standing at this year's US Open. Clijsters is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, taking residence the US Open trophy 3 times, in 2005, 2009 and 2010.
How to look at
- Date: August 31 - September 13
- Location: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, New York
- Channel: ESPN, ESPN2, Tennis Channel
- Streaming: fuboTV (try free for 7 days)
- Highlights: CBS Sports HQ
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