US Open tennis could be postponed: USTA
NEWYORK: The US Tennis Association acknowledged Tuesday that developments in the coronavirus pandemic could dictate moving the US Open, now scheduled to start in August. But the American federation said it wouldn’t determine any new date for its flagship Grand Slam without consulting the other major championship organizers, the International Tennis Federation and the ATP and WTA tours.
“We recognise that such a decision should not be made unilaterally,” the USTA said in a statement—a scarcely veiled jab at the French Tennis Federation which announced earlier Tuesday it was moving the second Grand Slam of the year, the French Open, to September 20-October 4.
In postponing the event originally scheduled for May 24-June 7, the French Federation apparently declined to consult other stakeholders in the sport.
The chosen dates, one week after the current scheduled conclusion of the US Open, caught the ATP and WTA by surprise.
They conflict with the Laver Cup in Boston, where Europe’s top players are scheduled to take on a World team.
Roger Federer has already committed to the event.
The US Open, the final Grand Slam on the calendar, is scheduled to run August 24-September 13 at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. “The USTA is continuing to plan for the 2020 US Open and is not at this time implementing any changes to the schedule,” the USTA said.
“These are unprecedented times, though, and we are assessing all of our options, including the possibility of moving the tour
nament to a later date.”
WIMBLEDON STILL PLANNING FOR PLAY LONDON: Wimbledon organisers are still planning to play the Grand Slam this year, despite the coronavirus chaos that led the French Open to be pushed back until September. Wimbledon is scheduled to run from June 29 to July 12, but All England Club chiefs are aware the sporting schedule has been decimated by the deadly pandemic.
French Open bosses on Tuesday revealed the clay-court event will move from its scheduled spring slot to September.
The year’s second Grand Slam was due to begin on May 24, but will now run from September 20 to October 4.
A roof has been installed over Roland Garros’ centre court, Philippe Chatrier, with floodlights on the three other main courts, enabling play to go on later. Wimbledon remain hopeful that play at the grass-court tournament will be able to go ahead if the spread of the virus is slowed.
But Richard Lewis, chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, insisted they would put public safety first.
“At the heart of our decisionmaking is our commitment to the health and safety of our members, staff, and the public, and we are grateful to the government and public health authorities for their advice and support,” Lewis said.