via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
Played at the end of every year, the US Open is one of the oldest slams while carrying a great legacy of players. However, in recent days, the authorities controlling the US Open have been under some scrutiny. As per recent reports, the US Open next year has been canceled for wheelchair players. However, this decision has not been liked by many, including one 32-year-old champion.
The English player did not hold back as he fired shots at the authorities for ignoring the tournament while saying that it was worthless talking to them as many attempts had already failed.
Lapthorne slams authorities for their ‘lazy’ efforts
Andy Lapthorne, a revered figure in British wheelchair tennis at just 32 years of age, has reportedly slammed the authorities at the US Open. His disapproval comes after the authorities decided to cancel the US Open for wheelchair tennis next year.
This decision came after the scheduling conflict with the Paralympic Games in Paris, which will commence from August 30 to September 7. 2024. The clash will directly impact the latter stages of the US Open, occurring during its second week of play at Flushing Meadows.
The cancellation has sparked a wave of disappointment within the wheelchair tennis community, with Lapthorne, a 16-time champion, leading the charge in expressing his dissatisfaction. He contends that both the US Open organizers and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have failed after they did not make an attempt to find other dates that would not conflict with the Paralympic Games.
via Imago
Andy Lapthorne, Rio Paralympic Tennis Event quad singles silver medallist
“It just feels like it’s very lazy at times to just say, ‘Oh well, we just won’t have the event’,” Lapthorne said while speaking to The Times. “I’ve tried to go down all the right avenues. I’ve spoken to the ITF and Stacey Allaster, the US Open tournament director. It’s banging your head against a brick wall stuff at the moment.”
Thus, the comments made by the wheelchair champion reflect the problems that they are facing. With the ITF and US Open failing to deliver the right solution to them, tensions have begun to grow.
This isn’t the first time that the US Open and Paralympics are conflicting
During the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics, the conflicting dates issue had happened which caused controversy among the players and the federation. However, speaking about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that happened in 2021, the dates were a bit adjusted but that involved a lot of travel for the players if they were to participate in both events.
Also, canceling the US Open will deprive the best players of their prize money. The tournament prize money this year at the US Open was a massive $1.1. million with the winner in singles taking away home $53,000. However, with the amount expected to rise next year, the cancellation of the tournament would have a huge impact on them.
Paralympics on the other hand, does not offer any prize money while the US Open gives players a chance to take home the prestigious title and the lucrative prize money. Thus, with tensions growing over, it will be interesting to see how things unfold over the upcoming days.
What are your views on this? Do you agree with Lapthorne?
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