A Tournament Like Never Before: 2020 U.S. Open

A Tournament Like Never Before 2020 U.S. Open has already secured its place in history books

It’s cliché and has been said countless times already, but 2020 has been a year unlike any other. The world finds itself in unprecedented times due to the global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, the effects of which can be felt in every aspect of our daily lives. From a basic trip to the grocery store to visiting family, there is hardly anything normal about the “new normal”, which is why this year’s U.S. Open will be different than all the rest.

While the tennis tours were put on hold beginning with Indian Wells back in March, the USTA began planning a way to hold the event ontime starting in late-August, examining an array of creative solutions to make it work. In the end, the USTA announced that the tournament would be played, but without fans, and the Western & Southern Open, normally held in Cincinnati, would also be played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the week prior to the start of the U.S. Open.

“We are incredibly excited that Governor Cuomo and New York State have today approved our plan to host the 2020 U.S. Open and 2020 Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” said USTA CEO & Executive Director Mike Dowse. “We recognize the tremendous responsibility of hosting one of the first global sporting events in these challenging times, and we will do so in the safest manner possible, mitigating all potential risks. We now can give fans around the world the chance to watch tennis’ top athletes compete for a U.S. Open title, and we can showcase tennis as the ideal social distancing sport. Being able to hold these events in 2020 is a boost for the City of New York and the entire tennis landscape.”

It was welcome news for both the local tennis community, and the tennis world as a whole. There have been numerous exhibition events

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held around the globe, but there is a strong appetite for top-flight competition on the biggest stage.

“Of course, holding the 2020 U.S. Open will be good for our sport at every level of the game,” said USTA Immediate Past President Katrina Adams. “Playing the Open will once again shine a spotlight on tennis, and get people excited about playing our safe and healthy sport for themselves. It will also allow the USTA to generate important income to invest in growing the game’s grassroots efforts in local communities all across the U.S.

For all those reasons, we are thrilled that the U.S. Open in 2020 will be happening. That’s fantastic news.”

At the press conference to officially announce the event would be happening, Adams and Dowse, along with new tournament director Stacey Allaster and NCAA chief medical officer Dr. Brian Hainline, the panel discussed the many steps and factors it considered when deciding on if, and how, to host this year’s U.S. Open.

They laid out three guiding principles, the first of which was can the tournament be played safely, both for the players and all the staff involved. The second principle was whether or not hosting the tournament would be in the best interest of tennis.

And the third, as Adams said:

“Our third guiding principle has been: Does this make financial sense both for the players and for the USTA. I can say that our team looked at a dozen different options on how do we best address these three guiding principles. I can say, and I’m excited to say, the combination of the Western & Southern Open and the U.S. Open here in New York checked all three of those boxes unequivocally.”

Dr. Hainline discussed the safety protocols that will be in place, and emphasized that tennis may be the most ideal social distancing sport.

“It’s also good for society because sport is an essential aspect of who we are as human beings. Sport does bring us health and well-being. Even to watch sport, it brings us so much pleasure,” said Hainline. “The particulars of bringing back sport for the Western & Southern Open and for the U.S. Open, we really conceptualized that we have different bubbles, we call them tiers. Tier I are the Photo credit: USTA/Jennifer Pottheiser players, and all of those who have very close contact with Open champion. “I feel like the USTA is the players. They will stay in a protected going to do a really good job of ensuring bubble. Upon arrival they will all be everything is amazing and evening is tested, this is with the preliminary chain perfect and everyone is safe. It’s going to reaction test. That testing will be be exciting. It’s been over six months repeated at regular intervals, and there since a lot of us have played professional are strategies in place.” tennis.

So the stage is set for the 2020 U.S. I’ll certainly miss the fans, don’t get me Open, and it will certainly be like no other wrong. Just being out there in the New tournament before. And while that stage York crowd, hearing everyone cheer, I’ll will be without an in-person audience, miss that, getting me through some of there will be a worldwide one watching on those tough matches. [But] this is crazy. their televisions, tablets and computers. I’m excited.”

There were questions from many top There remains some skepticism from players in both men’s and women’s some of Europe and Australia’s top tennis that raised concerns about the players, a list that includes Novak procedures, especially when the United Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Simona Halep States is seeing another rise in COVID-19 and Nick Kyrgios. There is hope that all the cases across the country. But the world’s best will be in attendance for the tournament got arguably the biggest U.S. Open, but the player field will be endorsement it could when American finalized as we move closer to the Serena Williams announced via video tournament’s start. that she is committed to playing in “We know and we respect that all Queens. athletes are going to need to make this

“This announcement has been on my decision on their own,” said Allaster. mind all day. Ultimately I really cannot “There are a lot of questions…there will be wait to return to New York and play the ongoing conversations with athletes to 2020 U.S. Open,” said the six-time US help them understand the plan, and then

some will ultimately make their own decision, just as they always do. We are confident that we have a lot of players who want to compete.”

While the full player field remains to be seen, the sports world and local community here in New York are thrilled that the U.S. Open will be played on time. It’s disappointing not to have fans, as the energetic nature of the New York crowd creates an environment not seen anywhere else in the tennis world, but it’s exciting nonetheless, and will hopefully bring an added sense of normalcy to a year that has been anything but.

The action inside the National Tennis Center bubble begins with the Western & Southern Open running from August 20- 28, leading into the 2020 U.S. Open which begins on August 31.

Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.

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What to Watch For At The 2020 U.S. Open

How Will No Fans Affect the Players?

The 2020 U.S. Open will go ahead with no fans, which should create a unique atmosphere for the players inside the bubble at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Players are used to having fans watching their matches, and for the players competing on the big show courts, like Grandstand, Louis Armstrong Stadium and Arthur Ashe Stadium, having no people in those seats will be a strange site. Similarly to how a basketball player could be affected shooting at a hoop in an arena with no fans, this presents a challenge to the tennis players. Even on the side courts, where fans normally flock, limited noise and no people will be a new way to play tennis for many of these players.

Will Circumstances Open Door for New Champions?

It remains to be seen which players will fill out the draws for this year’s U.S. Open, with many high-ranked players expressing doubt or raising concerns about coming to New York. The list ranges from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, to Simona Halep and Bianca Andreescu. Roger Federer already announced he will miss the rest of the year with an injury, and thus this could be a tournament that plays host to a new major champion. The unique situation surrounding the tournament means that there will likely be a new Grand Slam winner, perhaps perennial Top 10 players on the verge of a breakthrough such as Alexander Zverev or Elina Svitolina, could have their moment in Queens.

Will Players Adhere to Quarantine Protocols?

During the event, the USTA will be instituting strict health and safety protocols that the players must adhere to. This includes regular temperature checks and tests, but it will also depend on players sticking to the quarantine and not leaving the proverbial bubble. Players are only allowed at their hotel or house and at the court, which could present a problem for some players looking to do some New York City exploring. Normally, the players take advantage of the multiple-week stay in the “city that never sleeps”, doing sight-seeing, going shopping, going out to eat and more, all things they will not be allowed to do this time around. With everything going on in the world, this should not be an issue, and as Long Island native and ATP Tour professional Noah Rubin said:

“If you have the opportunity to make four million dollars, you stay in the bubble and shut up. If you have the ability to make this money during a pandemic—we are putting this on during a pandemic—shut up.”

Wheelchair Tournament to Be Held

The 2020 U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition will be held in its traditional place on the U.S. Open calendar at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The tournament will run from September 10-13.

This decision was made following multiple virtual meetings with a group of wheelchair athletes and the International Tennis Federation over the last week. The 2020 U.S. Open Wheelchair Competition will feature men’s and women’s singles and doubles events and quad singles and doubles events, all with draw sizes similar to past U.S. Opens.

Wheelchair athletes will follow the same health and safety procedures as all players participating in the U.S. Open and will be able to access the USTA Billie Jean King

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National Tennis Center beginning on September 7.

Originally, the U.S. Open was going to go ahead without the wheelchair event, but after backlash from top-ranked Dylan Alcott, as well as support from some of the game’s top players on the men’s and women’s side, the USTA made the decision to host the wheelchair event.

Day

Monday, August 31 Monday, August 31 Tuesday, September 1 Tuesday, September 1 Wednesday, September 2 Wednesday, September 2 Thursday, September 3 Thursday, September 3 Friday, September 4 Friday, September 4 Saturday, September 5 Saturday, September 5 Sunday, September 6 Sunday, September 6 Monday, September 7 Monday, September 7 Tuesday, September 8 Tuesday, September 8 Wednesday, September 9 Wednesday, September 9 Thursday, September 10 Friday, September 11 Friday, September 11 Saturday, September 12 Saturday, September 12 Sunday, September 13 Sunday, September 13

“Big thanks to the U.S. Open for reversing their decision—now allowing wheelchair players to compete at the 2020 Open,” Alcott said on Twitter. “And most importantly thanks to you reading this for supporting us and sharing the message—you made this happen. The decision of not allowing us to compete, without communication or consideration, was bigger than tennis…You

2020 U.S. Open Schedule

cannot be treated differently because of your gender, race, religion or disability. This is a massive sign of progress for our community, and I appreciate all your help. I know there is a lot going on in the world at the moment, and the tournament might not even go ahead, but at least now we have the same right as our able bodied counterparts—like we deserve.”

Time

11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

Matches Scheduled

Men’s and Women’s Round 1 Men’s and Women’s Round 1 Men’s and Women’s Round 1 Men’s and Women’s Round 1 Men’s and Women’s Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Round 3 Men’s and Women’s Round 3 Men’s and Women’s Round 3 Men’s and Women’s Round 3 Men’s and Women’s Round of 16 Men’s and Women’s Round of 16 Men’s and Women’s Round of 16 Men’s and Women’s Round of 16 Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals Women’s Semifinals Men’s Doubles Final Men’s Semifinals Mixed Doubles Final Women’s Final Women’s Doubles Final Men’s Final