Serena set for US Open as officials vow safety

Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, said she will play in this year's US Open tennis championship in New York. (AFP/Abbie Parr)

With top men's stars questioning the wisdom of the staging the event, the USTA said the event will be staged Aug 31 to Sep 13 without spectators at New York's National Tennis Center, which in April became a temporary hospital facility to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

"I really can't wait to return to the US Open 2020," Serena Williams said in a video message. "I think the USTA is going to do a really good job of ensuring everyone is going to be safe.

"This is crazy. I'm excited."

The Flushing Meadows fortnight will be the first Grand Slam event staged since the deadly virus outbreak shut down global sport. Wimbledon was cancelled and the French Open was postponed until September.

The site will also host the ATP Western and Southern Open, typically staged in Cincinnati, the week before the US Open with a similar safety "bubble" that includes testing for players and their entourage.

The USTA expects an 80 per cent drop in net operating income as a result of having no spectators for the US Open but will provide US$60 million in prize money for the two events in New York combined plus another US$3.3 million each to the ATP and WTA.

"We have the resources we can do this for a one-off year," USTA chief executive officer Mike Dowse said.

Novak Djokovic has been among several top players critical of the idea of staging the US Open as scheduled given the severe US impact of COVID-19, although the major issues in the New York area have been declining for several weeks.

'THE RIGHT DECISION'

"It's the right decision for tennis," said USTA chief executive officer Mike Dowse. "Our fans told us unequivocally they're excited to see the best players in the world."

Players will be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive at the tournament hotel and at least once a week thereafter, with those electing to stay at private homes being tested more often as they enter the "bubble" area of the tournament.

"We're confident we can pull this off," said Dr Brian Hainline, USTA Medical Advisory Group chairman.

"We know how we can start doing things in a manner that doesn't necessarily prevent one person from getting the disease but we can prevent a major outbreak of COVID-19."

The USTA board of directors never discussed having players sign a waiver to participate, Hainline saying the possibility of contracting the virus inside the bubble was "highly unlikely."

The US Open will have its regular draw of 128 players in men's and women's singles but doubles will have only 32 duos instead of the usual 64 and all players will play only doubles. There will be eight wildcard selections for singles but qualifying will not be contested.

"That extra load was outside the level of what we could handle," said US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster.

Mixed doubles, junior events and wheelchair competitions were called off.

Technology will replace line judges on every court except the feature layouts of Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. No children will be used to retrieve balls, with a reduced number used on outer courts. No media except telecasters will be permitted on site.

With nasal swab tests being used having near 100% reliability, Hainline declared, "There won't be false positives."

After all positive tests, a repeat test will be given within 24 hours to confirm. Those who are positive will be required to quarantine outside the event bubble.

Allaster said she would discuss what impact a late-round positive test would have for the tournament. It could produce a walkover just as an injury to a player would do.