This Coronavirus pandemic has created havoc all over the world. Sports also have been halted and there are many question marks about the restarting of the activities when the measures are eased. Problems are not only related to safety, but also on how to cope with the travel restrictions.
Talking about our beloved sport, tennis has been resuming in some local exhibitions like the ones that is now played in Germany (the Tennis Point Exhibition Series) and the upcoming in France and Florida. The official tours have been suspended until the 13th of July, but there are rumors that there will be yet another extension of the suspensions until the beginning of August.
The Presidential call and the US Open
Even if we are all happy to have “minor” tournaments back, the big question is if we will be able to see the US Open this year. The American slam is scheduled to take place from the last week of August and according to the USTA Executive Director Michael Dowse, they are open to all options.
According to Dowse, USTA President Patrick Galbraith spoke with President Trump and his team alongside leaders of several major U.S. sports leagues. There were also representatives from Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, NCAA, College Football Playoff, National Women’s Soccer League, NASCAR, PGA of America, the Masters Tournament. The focus was to find alternative and innovative ideas on how to restart the sports keeping everyone safe.
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby was also participating and he admitted that there are many “unknowns,” but he was pleased to notice that there was all the intention to restart the sports. He commented: “They just told us what they knew, and told us they were anxious to help in any way they could,” Bowlsby said. “We learned that there were likely going to be a lot more tests available, both the antibody tests and point of contact tests, which was a good thing for all of the pro guys and colleges.”
There are many scenarios about the US Open. One of these is that the major could even be played in Indian Wells in November. Time will tell.
