As you open the US Open 2020 website, you will see the tickets still on sale. There are deposits being accepted and people can book Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstong, Pre-weekend tickets amongst others. One shall wonder, how on Earth will the slam be held amidst the COVID-19 outbreak?
The US Open is to be held from August 24 through September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens but with the current covid-19 pandemic situation in the US, the chances of US Open being conducted looks very grim.
But if we were to believe the USTA’s head of communications, Chris Widmaier, the Grand Slam will be held and organizing committee is considering every scenario. In an interview with the ESPN he said “every scenario is on the table,” to commence the US Open 2020.
“Playing without fans at the traditional site, moving the event, we are modelling different scenarios but our desire is to have the tournament in its scheduled time slot at the National Tennis Center,” added Chris Widmaier.
Indian Wells could be the alternative
However, if the situation at hand worsens, the USTA has decided to shift the slam to Indian Wells, which has a seating capacity of 16,000 people.
Although not the same size as the original site for the tournament, Indian Wells could be the place for the tennis action to resume.
The original stadium Arthur Ashe tennis stadium is a part of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and is the largest tennis stadium in the world with a capacity of 23,771.
Rafa is pessimistic
Rafael, who fights till the end, is the most pessimistic . Rafael Nadal says, “I hope we can return before the end of the year but unfortunately, I don’t think so,” he told Spanish paper El Pais.
He is pessimistic that players will travel from all parts of the world to one location and play the slam, “Sadly, I’m not going to lie to you, the feeling is that we are losing a year of our lives.”
A huge economic boost
At a time when covid-19 has brought the world economies to a standstill, the commencement of the slam will be extremely beneficial for the US economy and will also provide media houses with a much needed real event to cover.
“If the USTA finds a way to pull off the tournament, even if it’s with a reduced draw on just a few courts, and without doubles (because of social distancing restrictions), it would be one of the most-watched sporting events of all time,” John Tobias, whose GSEworldwide management firm represents Sloane Stephens and the Bryan brothers, told ESPN.
Moreover, the slam will provide a boost to the players financially by providing them with an opportunity to earn some prize money, but the most benefited would be the lower-ranked players who have been struggling due to the suspension in play.
“Whatever decision we make won’t be just about finances,” Widmaier said. “It will be about our responsibility and what the tournament means to us, to fans around the world, and to New York. It is our desire and our responsibility to put on the tournament.”
The US Open 2020, is the last slam of the tennis calendar, however, this year the French Open will be played after the US Open. The cancellation of Wimbledon came in weeks before the tournament was to commence. As for US open 2020, at present in America, New York, where the slam is held every year, as the epicenter has 319,000 confirmed cases.
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