What To Watch For At The 2020 U.S. Open

The 2020 U.S. Open will go ahead with no fans, which should create a unique atmosphere for the players inside the bubble at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Players are used to having fans watching their matches, and for the players competing on the big show courts, like Grandstand, Louis Armstrong Stadium and Arthur Ashe Stadium, having no people in those seats will be a strange site. Similarly to how a basketball player could be affected shooting at a hoop in an arena with no fans, this presents a challenge to the tennis players. Even on the side courts, where fans normally flock, limited noise and no people will be a new way to play tennis for many of these players.

It remains to be seen which players will fill out the draws for this year’s U.S. Open, with many high-ranked players expressing doubt or raising concerns about coming to New York. The list ranges from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, to Simona Halep and Bianca Andreescu. Roger Federer already announced he will miss the rest of the year with an injury, and thus this could be a tournament that plays host to a new major champion. The unique situation surrounding the tournament means that there will likely be a new Grand Slam winner, perhaps perennial Top 10 players on the verge of a breakthrough such as Alexander Zverev or Elina Svitolina, could have their moment in Queens.

During the event, the USTA will be instituting strict health and safety protocols that the players must adhere to. This includes regular temperature checks and tests, but it will also depend on players sticking to the quarantine and not leaving the proverbial bubble. Players are only allowed at their hotel or house and at the court, which could present a problem for some players looking to do some New York City exploring. Normally, the players take advantage of the multiple-week stay in the “city that never sleeps”, doing sight-seeing, going shopping, going out to eat and more, all things they will not be allowed to do this time around. With everything going on in the world, this should not be an issue, and as Long Island native and ATP Tour professional Noah Rubin said:

“If you have the opportunity to make four million dollars, you stay in the bubble and shut up. If you have the ability to make this money during a pandemic—we are putting this on during a pandemic—shut up.”

The 2020 U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition will be held in its traditional place on the U.S. Open calendar at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The tournament will run from September 10-13.

This decision was made following multiple virtual meetings with a group of wheelchair athletes and the International Tennis Federation over the last week. The 2020 U.S. Open Wheelchair Competition will feature men’s and women’s singles and doubles events and quad singles and doubles events, all with draw sizes similar to past U.S. Opens.

Wheelchair athletes will follow the same health and safety procedures as all players participating in the U.S. Open and will be able to access the USTA Billie Jean King

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National Tennis Center beginning on September 7.

Originally, the U.S. Open was going to go ahead without the wheelchair event, but after backlash from top-ranked Dylan Alcott, as well as support from some of the game’s top players on the men’s and women’s side, the USTA made the decision to host the wheelchair event.

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“Big thanks to the U.S. Open for reversing their decision—now allowing wheelchair players to compete at the 2020 Open,” Alcott said on Twitter. “And most importantly thanks to you reading this for supporting us and sharing the message—you made this happen. The decision of not allowing us to compete, without communication or consideration, was bigger than tennis…You

cannot be treated differently because of your gender, race, religion or disability. This is a massive sign of progress for our community, and I appreciate all your help. I know there is a lot going on in the world at the moment, and the tournament might not even go ahead, but at least now we have the same right as our able bodied counterparts—like we deserve.”

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Men’s and Women’s Round 1 Men’s and Women’s Round 1 Men’s and Women’s Round 1 Men’s and Women’s Round 1 Men’s and Women’s Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Round 3 Men’s and Women’s Round 3 Men’s and Women’s Round 3 Men’s and Women’s Round 3 Men’s and Women’s Round of 16 Men’s and Women’s Round of 16 Men’s and Women’s Round of 16 Men’s and Women’s Round of 16 Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals Women’s Semifinals Men’s Doubles Final Men’s Semifinals Mixed Doubles Final Women’s Final Women’s Doubles Final Men’s Final

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