Boris Becker: US Open Grand Slam Should Be Cancelled

Former World No. 1 Boris Becker says that the US Open should not be held as scheduled in New York in August due to the current global health crisis.

Becker, who is a Laureus Academy member, spoke in an interview to Laureus and said that the Grand Slam in New York should be cancelled.

The U.S. Tennis Association has said that it would decide by June whether the tournament would be held or not. As of now, the tournament is scheduled to be held from August 31st to September 13th.

Becker, who won the title at the US Open in 1989, commented,  "New York was pretty much the worst city hit by the virus a couple of weeks ago. I don't think it would be wise to have a tournament there.''

The German also said that the cancellation of Wimbledon would leave a big void in the sporting calendar. Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II due to the global pandemic.

Becker, who is a Laureus sport-for-good ambassador, commented, 'Life as we know it has changed since the coronavirus lockdown happened, since this pandemic reached our shores. I have lived in the United Kingdom for a long time, and this is frightening. I've never seen a situation like this before. We live in a tough world right now. More than ever I am committed to the work of Laureus and I do whatever I can. I think we are having a moment in crisis in tennis. Apart from the top 75 men and women, the rest of the professional players need their weekly pay cheque, they need their prize money. The fact is they can't play, they can't even go to a club and give lessons."

Speaking about the merger of the ATP & WTA Tours, Becker says, "Roger Federer started the ball rolling with his splendid idea of joining forces and I think Rafa Nadal agrees.  Just think of the equal prize money we have in the majors. You know men and women earn the same which I don't think is happening in every sport. We are always progressive about going with the times, with equal rights, certainly on the tennis court."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3b3UvsH