'I feel like the USTA is going to do a really
good job of ensuring everything is amazing and everyone is safe'.
IMAGE:
Serena Williams was the runner-up in Flushing Meadows each of the past two
years. Photograph: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Fears that strict health
protocols due to the COVID-19 outbreak could deter the game's biggest names
from competing at this year's U.S. Open were somewhat allayed on Wednesday as
Serena Williams confirmed she will play the New York event.
Williams, in a video
message played during a United States Tennis Association news conference to
announce that the Aug. 31-Sept. 13 tournament will proceed without fans, said
she misses the excitement of competition.
"Ultimately, I really
cannot wait to return to New York and play the US Open 2020," the
seven-times champion said. "I feel like the USTA is going to do a really
good job of ensuring everything is amazing and everyone is safe."
A number of top players,
including world number ones Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Australian Ash Barty
along with reigning US Open men's champion Rafael Nadal are among those who
have expressed concerns about attending the US Open.
As part of the safety plan
outlined by the USTA, testing will be conducted before travelling to the United
States and 1-2 times per week at the event along with daily temperature checks.
During the US Open, which
this year will not include a mixed doubles tournament, players and guests must
wear masks when onsite unless practicing or competing and anyone who tests
positive will be isolated.
According to the tournament
organisers, players are allowed to rent homes in the New York area if they do
not want to stay in one of the affiliated hotels but cannot stay in Manhattan.
Among the changes amid the
virus, there will be linespersons for matches inside both Arthur Ashe Stadium
and Louis Armstrong Stadium but none on the other courts, where a chair umpire
will work with the electronic line-calling system HawkEye Live.
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