Diego Schwartzman: Tennis is my job, I'll play US Open but conditions are crazy

Argentine tennis star Diego Schwartzman has expressed some displeasure over the lack of communication the ATP has had with players over the last few months.

Over the last several months, players found out some major news and updates through social media -- not directly from the ATP.

A few days ago, the Citi Open in Washington was canceled and most of the players found out about the news on Twitter. 

"With only 23 days left until the start of the tournament, there are too many unresolved external issues, including various international travel restrictions as well as troubling health and safety trends, that have forced us to make this decision now in fairness to our players, suppliers and partners, so that they can have certainty around their planning," a Citi Open statement read.

"We are very disappointed that we could not provide players this competitive opportunity and tennis fans around the world their first chance to once again experience the thrills of watching an ATP Tournament. Sports play a very important role in uniting our communities, inspiring our youth, stimulating our economies and providing joy to fans around the world, and we look forward to bringing that back to the world next year."

Schwartzman, ranked at No. 13 in the world, found out about the news on Twitter.

"For me, the ATP did not hit any for now, we practically never found out from them first but (we find out) from a social network about the decisions they make, for example the cancelation of Washington," Schwartzman told FM Milenium, as quoted on La Nacion.

The cancelation of Washington not a surprise, says Schwartzman 

"The cancellation of Washington was expected to come and the ATP in quotes was predicting it, they were telling us that it was complicated because the times for all the permits and everything that was needed to make a tournament did not come, but we ended up finding out all on Twitter," Schwartzman said.

Schwartzman says he will play the US Open if it takes place but underlines the conditions under which the organizers are planning to host the event are all but great.

"The way they communicate and in which they want to carry out, for example the US Open, is crazy. In my case I will go to play because I need to, it is my job, but the conditions are crazy, like going to play a Grand Slam after seven months with only one companion, locked in a hotel for 21 days, without being able to leave, is all too far-fetched," Schwartzman said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3hBL3QS