Raonic worried about French Open crowds
With thousands to attend, recent surge in virus infections in France is ‘biggest concern’ for him
NEW YORK — The prospect of playing the French Open in a month’s time with thousands of fans in attendance is a worry for Canada’s Milos Raonic amid a recent surge in COVID-19 infections in France.
The former world No. 3 advanced to the U.S. Open second round at a locked-down Flushing Meadows on Tuesday with a clinical 6-3, 6-2 6-3 win over Leonardo Mayer.
Raonic said the lack of fans in New York was “weird” and “unfortunate” but the idea of mixing with crowds at Roland Garros was also unnerving.
“The only thing that is of some concern to me is that it’s going to be 20,000 fans,” Raonic said when asked about the French Open, which starts Sept. 27.
“I think that’s what I was hearing, that they’ve sold tickets.
“Unless they plan on completely shifting around the organization of the venue, it’s hard to get to your practices, get to your matches, without crossing tens if not hundreds of people on the ground.”
The French tennis federation said in July it planned to allow up to 60 per cent of the usual number of fans. A record 520,000 spectators attended last year’s event, according to organizers.
The French health ministry reported nearly 5,000 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, up from about 3,000 on Monday but below highs of more than 7,000 seen last week.
“That to me is the biggest concern, especially seeing with the spikes that are going on throughout France right now,” Raonic said.
“It’s hard to see that sort of getting nullified in four weeks’ time or however long it is before the French Open starts.”
The big-serving Canadian plays compatriot Vasek Pospisil next.
“There’s a little bit more tension, a little bit more emotion, that kind of thing,” Raonic said. “I think we’re also both pretty well equipped to put that aside and really focus on the tennis.”