Tennis before the US Open: return with reservation

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Serena Williams and many other professionals are making a fresh start in New York

Tennis has seen better days. In the corona crisis, many stars of the scene gave a bad image. Novak Djokovic, world number one and 17-time Grand Slam winner, defended the Adria Cup in the midst of the pandemic until he infected himself with the virus. Alexander Zverev, Germany's number one and semi-finalist at the Australian Open, danced at the side of fashion designer Philipp Plein at a party on the south coast of France.

There were verbal arguments, most of which were carried out on Twitter. Nick Kyrgios, otherwise known as a tennis bully, accused several professionals of selfishness.

In the case of women, on the other hand, Cori Gauff used the break to campaign against racism. The former world number one Naomi Osaka did the same. But here too there were problems: Some players feared for their existence because of the month-long break.

Now it should start again, of all places in New York, the city that has meanwhile been worst hit by the pandemic. First with the Masters tournament in Cincinnati (August 20 to August 28), which has been relocated to the US metropolis. Afterwards, Flushing Meadows will play the second Grand Slam title of the year (August 31 to September 13). Probably never in the history of sport has it been so difficult to predict a favorite or even a winner. This is also due to the fact that many stars do not even make their way to the USA.

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In the largest tennis stadium in the world, the Arhur-Ashe-Stadium, the US Open is to be played in front of empty stands. A good idea?

The men are missing two heavyweights: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. While Federer had canceled due to an injury, Nadal prefers to prepare for the upcoming clay court season in Europe. The same applies to Stan Wawrinka, who prefers to keep fit on the second-rate Challenger Tour. Kyrgios, Fabio Fognini and Gael Monfils are also absent. Kei Nishikori tested positive for the Covid-19 pathogen before leaving for New York. Participation is therefore more than questionable.

"Shitty tennis world"

There was also a flood of rejections among women. With Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep, Jelina Switolina, Bianca Andreescu, Kiki Bertens and Belinda Bencic, six top ten players stay away from the US Open. The situation is tricky, and under these circumstances there has long been no talk of equal opportunities. Some accept the risk of infection, some just don't. The world number 227. Noah Rubin therefore speaks of a "shitty tennis world". Dominic Thiem thinks that a success at the US Open is worth less than at the Australian Open in January.

The case of Guido Pella shows how fragile the situation is and can become: Because his physiotherapist tested positive in the run-up to the Cincinnati Masters, the Argentine now has to go into a 14-day quarantine despite a negative test. It is uncertain whether he can take part in the US Open.

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Presented himself in great shape during the break: Dominic Thiem from Austria (here in the Steffi Graf Stadium in Berlin)

Despite all the adversities in the past few months, the professionals tried to keep up appearances of the competition. In Belgrade, Berlin or Kitzbühel the men played out a winner. Former stars like Tommy Haas took part, the Adria Tour had to be canceled. Thiem reached the finals at all events, only losing in Kitzbühel. In New York he is one of the favorites, but how good his form really is is difficult to say.

How should things go on in Europe?

The women played in Palermo and Prague. Halep won in the Czech capital. On the way to the final, the Romanian defeated players who are placed outside the top 100 in the world rankings. Does competition look so healthy? In the US state of Kentucky the 31st "Sisters Act" came about at the "Top Seed Open". Serena hit her older sister Venus in three sentences. In the end, Jenny Brady won. Is the rather unknown American now a favorite in New York? Hardly likely.

Both the WTA and the ATP have meanwhile "frozen" their world rankings and adjusted the system to protect players. Djokovic, who was unable to defend his 2019 Wimbledon victory due to the corona, was therefore not deducted any points. Simona Halep, who renounces the US Open for fear of infection, cannot make up any points in the ranking after her poor performance in New York last year (out in the 2nd round).

"It's a bit crazy to play the US Open now," said Zverev recently, only to travel to New York a little later. Under what conditions he can return and how things will continue in Europe remains questionable. Just two weeks after the finals in New York, the French Open will take place in Paris (September 27 to October 11). The organizers want to help the professionals avoid quarantine on return. Details of how this should work were not given.

In New York, the winners receive prize money of three million dollars even in the corona crisis. Tournament boss Stacey Allaster assured that the staging was worthwhile despite the lack of income and the many cancellations.