SERENA COMMITS TO US OPEN AS TOURS TAKE SHAPE

SERENA WILLIAMS led from the front by becoming the first major star to confirm that she will play in the US Open. The 38-year-old American will try to win her 24th Grand Slam singles title when the event is staged under highly restrictive conditions from August 31 to September 13.

‘I really cannot wait to return to New York and play,’ she said. ‘I feel the US Tennis Association is going to do a really good job of ensuring everything is amazing and everything is perfect and everyone is safe.’ Fans and media will be excluded but Williams may have been swung by relaxations in the rules which will control how many people players can bring with them and where they can stay. In response to concerns already expressed by top players, they will now be allowed to stay privately rather than in the bubble of the official tournament hotel. They will also be allowed to bring three support staff on site. Andy Murray would presently need a wildcard, but would surely be awarded one. Both men’s and women’s tours have now revealed provisional calendars. The WTA Tour announced 20 events beginning on August 3 in Palermo, going through to late November. The ATP announced events going through to mid-October, with the Madrid, Italian and French Opens being confirmed. There is optimism that the ATP Finals at London’s O2 Arena in November can still happen.