The US Open organization has done a fantastic job of organizing the upcoming major among so much uncertainty. However, many things remained “unperfect” and there was an understandable uproar as wheelchair tennis was left completely out the slam.
Renowned wheelchair player Dylan Alcott has won 10 slam titles (singles) and 2 of them at the US Open (2015, 2018). The Australian was extremely upset about the fact that wheelchair tennis was left out of the US Open. He released the following statement on social media.
“Just got announced that the US Open will go ahead WITHOUT wheelchair tennis. Players weren’t consulted. I thought I did enough to qualify – 2x champion, number 1 in the world. But unfortunately I missed the only thing that mattered, being able to walk. Disgusting discrimination.
And please do not tell me I am a ‘greater risk’ because I am disabled. I am disabled yes but that does not make me SICK. I am fitter and healthier than nearly everybody reading this right now. There are no added risks.
And for sure there are far more important things going on in the world, but that choice should’ve been up TO ME. It is blatant discrimination for able-bodied people to decide on my behalf what i do with my LIFE AND CAREER just because I am disabled. Not good enough And for sure there are far more important things going on in the world, but that choice should’ve been up TO ME. It is blatant discrimination for able bodied people to decide on my behalf what i do with my LIFE AND CAREER just because I am disabled. Not good enough @usopen.”
The help of the big names
Dylan was elated with the fact that big names such as Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer are supporting his cause to play the Us Open.
“I actually spoke to Andy Murray on the phone for 30 minutes last night, he’s publicly this morning backed us wheelchair tennis players online, which is awesome. I know a lot of the top players, the likes of Federer and Novak are reaching out internally to try and help because they love wheelchair tennis as well,” he commented.
The statement of the US Open
Fortunately, the US Open is reconsidering its position to reconsider how to organize the event. Usta released the following statement.
“Today, the USTA, in conjunction with ITF wheelchair tennis leadership, conducted a very productive call with the wheelchair athletes who traditionally compete in the US Open Wheelchair Competition. Leading the call for the USTA was USTA Chief Executive Officer Mike Dowse, who was joined by US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster and US Open Wheelchair Tournament Director Jo Wallen. On the call, the USTA acknowledged that the Association should have communicated directly, and worked in a collaborative manner with the wheelchair athletes when developing the plan for the 2020 US Open, as it had done with both the ATP and WTA.
The USTA also committed to working with the players and the ITF to explore a number of potential scenarios for the Wheelchair Competition to determine the best approach moving forward for the athletes and the competition. The USTA expects to gather player feedback on their perspective and work with the ITF to finalize an approach to the 2020 US Open Wheelchair Competition.”
Novak Djokovic in 2020
Now ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 29th of February when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the final in Dubai to win his 79th career title.
This season Djokovic has a 18-0 win-loss record. Novak conquered 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.
Andy Murray in 2020
Currently ranked no.129, the Brit played his last match on the 20th of November 2019 when he defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6-77 6-4 7-65 in the Rubber 1 of the Davis Cup.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray played each other 36 times. The head to head is 25-11 for Djokovic. The last time that they played each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-3 5-7 6-4 in the final in Doha (Qatar ExxonMobil Open) in January 2017.
Roger Federer in 2020
Currently ranked no.4, Roger played his last match on the 30th of January when he lost to Novak Djokovic 7-61 6-4 6-3 in the semifinal of the Australian Open.
Roger Federer’s most significant accomplishment of this year was getting to the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
