World no. 1 Ashleigh Barty to skip US Open, undecided about French Open

Ashleigh Barty will not be playing the 2020 US Open. The world no. 1 announced her decision to skip the event on the grounds of Covid-19 related concerns. 

Talking about her decision to not play at Flushing Meadows this year, Barty said, “My team and I have decided that we won’t be travelling to the US for the Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year.”

Ashleigh Barty skips US Open, undecided about French Open

Continuing, she added, “I love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to Covid-19 and I don’t feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position. I wish the USTA all the best for the tournaments and look forward to being back in the US next year.”

The defending French Open champion also kept her cards close to her chest regarding her title defence in Paris, following the US Open. “I will make my decision on the French Open and the surrounding WTA European tournaments in the coming weeks.”

Barty’s decision came on the side-lines of the entry deadline of the US Open i.e., 29th July. However, before this, her absence in the entry-list for the Cincinnati-based event that will be played at the US National Tennis Center this year had indicated that the Australian would not be travelling to the US. 

Apart from the pandemic-related scenario in the US, the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for people entering Europe from the States is also making players reluctant and sceptical about playing in the North American country. 

Regardless, the US Open entry list does feature the top two men’s singles players in the world – world no. 1 Novak Djokovic and world no. 2 Rafael Nadal. While Djokovic has hinted, he could travel to New York City and has also been training with the official US Open balls, the latter has not confirmed his participation as yet. 

In terms of players who have decided to not be a part of the US swing, Ashleigh Barty is one among the many bigger names who have opted to forego playing in the US this year. Simona Halep, Bianca Andreescu, Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and Elina Svitolina have also decided not to play in the country. Among the men, Stan Wawrinka, Fabio Fognini, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Gael Monfils are among the notable absentees. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Ddjn61