COVID-19 fears force Barty out of US Open

WORLD No.1 Ash Barty will bypass next month’s US Open because of COVID-19 fears.

The French Open champion has agonised over the decision for months but with the entry deadline closing for a key lead-up event, Barty will remain at home.

“My team and I have decided that we won’t be travelling to the US for the Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year,” she said.

“I love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to COVID-19 and I don’t feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position.

“I wish the USTA all the best for the tournaments and look forward to being back in the US next year.”

Barty will monitor the situation before deciding whether she is prepared to travel to Europe for a defence of her Roland Garros crown.

“I will make my decision on the French Open and the surrounding WTA European tournaments in the coming weeks,” she said.

Barty is one of several leading players to skip the US hardcourt swing because of health concerns.

The Southern and Western Open has been moved from Cincinnati to New York where US Tennis Association officials will create a biosecurity hub for three weeks.

Barty, Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep and Bianca Andreescu did not enter the Cincinnati event.

But world No.1 Novak Djokovic and defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal are surprise entrants for the Cincinnati Masters.

Several others, including Stan Wawrinka, opted not to enter Cincinnati because of fears they might not be able to travel back to Europe for claycourt events without serving a quarantine period.

Nick Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur and John Millman have entered the Southern and Western Open but still have the option of withdrawing.