Tennis: US Open
NEW YORK (77 WABC) — For now, it appears the US Open will still go on as scheduled.
During a conference call with reporters on Thursday, USTA CEO Mike Dowse indicated that a plan remains in place for the annual tennis major to place on time despite the current COVID-19 Pandemic. A formal decision on the status of the US Open will be made in June, Dowse said.
The decision will be made in conjunction with a medical advisory group in order to make the safest decision for the players and fans.
“In one sense we’re very fortunate that we’re the fourth Grand Slam to go,” Dowse said. “Time is on our side at this point. Obviously our ambition is to run the tournament. It’s the engine that drives our organization, our governing body.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all sports across the board. In Tennis, Wimbledon was canceled for the first time since World War II earlier this month and the French Open was postponed until Sept. 20.
Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL are discussing scenarios to resume their seasons with no spectators. That idea is one that is “highly unlikely” to happen at the US Open, according to Dowse.
“We’re not taking anything off the table right now, but to be honest and open, I think that’s highly unlikely,” Dowse said. “That’s not really in the spirit of the celebration of tennis. It also goes back to the health and wellbeing of not just the spectators but of our players and support staff that help run the tournament. Unless the medical industry or medical experts come up with a solution that truly is foolproof and safe, we don’t see that as an option.”
Dowse did add that they could reconsider that position if medical experts present them with a Safeway to host the tournament without fans in the venue.
Currently, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is being used as a temporary hospital to fight the spread of COVID-19.
