By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, June 16, 2020
The USTA is walking a tennis tightrope holding Western & Southern Open and US Open in succession. Our top takeways from today's US Open zoom conference,
Photo credit: Jennifer Pottheiser/USTA
Tennis treads a major tightrope at the 2020 US Open.
The USTA's decision to play the US Open as scheduled starting on August 31st is more than uncharted territory.
More: US Open, Roland Garros Ready to Roll
The USTA is navigating an audacious twin bill balancing the health and safety of players and staff with the demands of running the Western & Southern Open and US Open in succession on the same stage.
Keeping the Coronavirus out of Corona Park while convincing superstar champions it’s safe to visit the city that was once the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States is the challenge the USTA faces.
Buckle up for the 2020 US Open, which promises to be the most surreal Slam in recent memory.
The USTA officially announced it will host the Western & Southern Open, typically played in Cincinnati, and the US Open in succession at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with a combined $60 million prize money on the line. The Western & Southern Open will be contested August 19-28th with the US Open following August 31st-September 13th.
Citing social distancing requirements in this COVID-19 climate, the USTA is opting to hold the tournaments without fans and media in attendance.
The size and format of the events will also be modified with this same goal of limiting the number of individuals on site at one time. This includes players, their entourages, staff, broadcasters, and all others associated with the on-site workings
“The decision to hold the 2020 US Open without fans was not an easy one, but ultimately it was the correct one,” said Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, USTA and US Open Tournament Director. “To mitigate risk, we must minimize numbers on-site.
"Though we will not have fans on our site, we will engage with tennis fans around the world in new and exciting ways with the help of our global broadcast partners, and all our US Open sponsors.”
No fans, no media, no mixed doubles, no staying in Manhattan and multiple COVID-19 tests for all players and staff on site.
USTA CEO Mike Dowse, US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster, USTA Past Immediate President Katrina Adams and Dr. Brian Hainline, a member of the USTA board, practiced social distancing during today’s zoom conference with the media that was livestreamed over the US Open's Facebook page in what may well be a prelude of tennis' new normal.
The US Open served as a hospital during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in New York City.
The tournament will try to transform to a tennis safe haven in August while trying to heal a rift between Americans who want the Open to play on and some European stars who are more comfortable resuming the season on European red clay in September before Roland Garros begins on September 27th.
Here are our Top 10 takeaways from the USTA’s US Open zoom call:
Room Requirements
Players will be permitted to stay at one of two hotels at the nearby JFK Airport as well as houses they can rent outside of the city.
Each player will be able to rent two hotel rooms at the TWA Hotel, the USTA will pay for one room with players paying for the second room with up to three guests permitted in each room.
Players will not be permitted to stay in Manhattan during the two tournaments.
Quarantine Clarity
Some players expressed concern of spending two weeks in quarantine upon arrivel in the United States, or being forced to quarantine after leaving the States.
Allaster said quarantine will not be an issue as the tournament is essentially creating its own tennis world bubble and has clearance from the government.
"I know on the quarantine, that's been a big topic of discussion," Allaster said. "Together with federal, New York state, local government and the USTA medical advisory group, we've created this centralized US Open world and Western & Southern Open world that in essence brings the athletes into a safe environment for them to train and return ultimately to work.
"We have the assurances of the federal government on May 22nd, the president signed a proclamation of national interest with sport being part of that proclamation that all athletes, their entourages, tour officials, would be able to come into our country to participate in the Western & Southern Open and the US Open."
Serena Star Power
Visions of annual Venus vs. Serena US Open finals were a reason Arlen Kantarian and USTA execs broke up Super Saturday and shifted the women’s final to Saturday night prime-time.
The USTA brought Serena out on the big screen today confirming she will play the Open.
Though US Open courts are resurfaced every year before the tournament, this marks the first time in 42 years the Flushing Meadows major is changing surface brands.
The six-time US Open champion’s quest to capture her record-equaling 24th Grand Slam crown at the tournament when she’s fallen in finals to Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu in successive years makes the Open must-see TV for die-hard fans.
Even without fans, without family, without media and amid what may well be a diluted field, Serena’s quest for history—particularly given the fact she’s dropped four straight major finals—will compel.
Elation or Deflation?
Good news is we will see the first Grand Slam tournament since the coronavirus pandemic struck.
The USTA tries to combat coronavirus concerns with a safety bubble to protect players and staff and a double dose of championships to engage fans mired in lockdown hangover.
Since the sport's shutdown in March players have been unable to earn income.
Collaborative efforts between USTA, ATP and WTA navigating complexities aim to make the best of an unprecedented situation. It's a creative attempt to salvage the season, stage the Open and give players much-needed job opportunities with two tournaments in succession.
Bad news: Major risk and apathy from many prominent players.
Despite safety protocols, there is no vaccine for coronavirus, international travel is still limited in some nations and the truth is no one knows for sure what the coronavirus climate will be in New York in two month’s time.
Then there's the concern of widening an already expansive pay gap between elite earners and those players struggling to sustain their careers. Cuttting qualifying and downsizing doubles hurts many of the players who need the money most.
In a COVID-19 climate the sport's economy is already shrinking,so providing $60 million in prize money for successive tournaments is certainly a positive.
Still, there is the fear of the unkown. What if there is a second wave of coronavirus or a different strain of the virus appears in New York in two months time? What if a player contracts coronavirus and is forced to withdraw from a semifinal?
Big 3 Free Open?
The Big 3 of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have combined to capture 13 consecutive Grand Slam championships.
Could we see a US Open without any of them?
It’s possible. Federer is out for the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
With Roland Garros scheduled to start two weeks after the US Open ends, 19-time Grand Slam champion Nadal faces the Herculean task of defending major titles in New York and Paris on two different surfaces back to back.
World No. 1 Djokovic who has been practicing and playing on red clay for the Adria Tour, suggests players he's spoken with are more likely to return on European clay rather than American hard courts.
"The way things are, tennis will most likely return on the ground in early September," Djokovic told RTS TV. “At the moment, I think my clay court season will continue until September."
If all three bail out on New York, it would create massive opportunity for a player to break through and win a maiden major. Marin Cilic, who defeated Federer and Kei Nishikori in succession to capture the 2014 US Open, is the last man to claim a maiden Grand Slam title.
More Hawk-Eye Fewer Human Eyes
Limited lines crews will work the 2020 US Open and Western & Southern Open.
There will be full lines crews on Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums, but no line crew on the outer courts.
That means Hawk-Eye line-calling technology will be used for all outer court action with a chair umpire overseeing every court.
As for ball crews, the USTA says there will be six ball people staffing the two stadium courts. The outer courts will feature just three ball people—one at each end of the court and one at net.
No Fans, No Media
The US Open is to Grand Slam tennis what Times Square is to New Year’s Eve: an energized, electric crossroads of the world.
Will the game’s greatest night stage still bring Broadway buzz without die-hard fans—including US Open celebrity fans like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Jimmy Fallon, Ben Stiller—and without onsite media?
This will be the first interactive US Open as the USTA today confirmed there will be no media permitted on site—though it’s thought stakeholders, including ESPN and Eurosport will be permitted access.
Can the game thrive without international media? Or is this cut just the latest sign of the game’s governing bodies catering access exclusively to the media partners who pay for it?
Sports Center
The National Tennis Center will resemble a National Sports Center when tennis month in August begins. Under the USTA’s plans there will be a soccer field and basketball courts built on walkways near the food court and Louis Armstrong stadium where players can warm up or wind down.
Survival of the Fittest
August can be a sweltering season casting a curtain of heavy, dense air across New York. Fitness will vital for to survive—and thrive—in a tennis twin bill.
Many players who aren’t playing World TeamTennis’ season in West Virginia will face the physical challenge of playing successive hard-court events after a six-month sabbatical amid August heat that can be punishing and hard courts that can be unforgiving.
Doubles Jeopardy
Understandably, the USTA is aiming to limit the number of people on site to reduce potential spread of the virus.
Sadly and predictably, slashing mixed doubles, juniors and wheelchair events was the path to downsizing.
US Open doubles is cut from 64 to 32 teams and limited to doubles players only.
Eliminating US Open mixed doubles nixes an event that dates back to 1892 when the tournament was the US National Championships. Past US Open mixed doubles champions included Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Jack Sock and USTA President Patrick Galbraith.
You can argue the USTA hurts American hopes with the move: Four of the last 10 US Open doubles champions are Americans with Mike Bryan and Jack Sock raising the title in 2018 and the Bryan brothers ruling in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Financial Hit
The US Open, which reportedly generated between $375 and $400 million in 2019, will obviously take a major financial hit without the benefit of ticket sales, corporate sponsor boxes and concessions.
How much will the USTA lose with the fan-free Open?
“As far as the financials, I will tell you our net operating income looks to be down about 80% this year,” USTA CEO Mike Dowse said. “That really talks about our commitment to the sport of tennis and the professional players. As I mentioned earlier, we're committing to 91% of the prize money when our net operating income is going to be down 80%.”
Still, by staging the Western & Southern Open and US Open in succession, the USTA cashes in on global television contracts it can use to fund programs while promoting the Open reaching about 200 nations via TV and streaming.
Suite Life
Corporate sponsor suites in Arthur Ashe Stadium that can typically generate more than $100,000 for the two-week tournament will be converted into player lounges.
The suites will provide players a safe space to warm up before taking the court. It’s unclear how the USTA will assign them, presumably players scheduled to play in Ashe Stadium that day would receive priority for suite life.
The US Open will always hold a very special place in my heart. Arthur Ashe is where I won my first grand slam title and I treasure so many unforgettable moments at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Since then, we’ve seen sports, and the world as we know it, come to a halt due to the spread of COVID-19. I can’t stress enough that the health and safety of, not only the players, but of all those involved in making tennis happen again this season is, and has always been, of the utmost importance. I have no doubt that the USTA has come up with the best plan to insure our safety as we look to the return of tennis in 2020. The decision, I know was not made lightly and I completely support and understand every players personal opinions on the matter and their comfort level traveling near and far to compete on the world’s biggest stage. Returning to life as we once knew it is no longer an option but, I plan to make the most of the opportunity to get back on the court, re-connect with players and friends and hopefully bring tennis back to the millions of fans across the globe safely.
A post shared by Bianca Vanessa🦋 (@biancaandreescu_) on
Will Stars Show Up?
Too soon to say.
World No. 1 players Novak Djokovic and Ash Barty, reigning US Open champion Rafael Nadal and Wimbledon winner Simona Halep are among the players who have expressed concerns over playing in New York in this current coronavirus climate.
Nadal, who faces the Herculean task of defending the US Open and Roland Garros back-to-back, has said if the Flushing Meadows were contested now he would not be comfortable playing.
Given the entire ATP Top 10 is European, it’s possible that if the tournament were held next week most of the Top 10 would not play.
Players who are undecided have some time but many of the Top 10 are already practicing and playing on red clay meaning We asked the USTA what percentage of Top 20 players showing up for Flushing Meadows would be a success?
“Athletes have been training, and now they're really going to be training to return to play,” Stacey Allaster told us. “As this whole situation with the virus evolves here in New York City, around the world, athletes will make that final determination two to three weeks before.
“I am confident overall that a lot of athletes want to return to play. These are the best athletes in the world. Maybe I'm a little biased. But they can perform, they're healthy. It's going to be great, exciting tennis for our fans around the world.”
Key Dates
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July 12th—Entry deadline for Western & Southern Open
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August 15th—US Open player hotel opens
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August 16th—First day Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is open to players for practice
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August 19th-20th—Western & Southern Open Qualifying Tournament
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August 21st-28th—Western & Southern Open
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August 31st-September 13th—US Open