“Players Are Satisfied” – Serbian Tennis Star Lauds US Open 2020 For Strict Coronavirus Protocols

In March, every sport had to hibernate due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic and self-quarantine. After five months, the virus is still rampaging through the planet, but the sports world is slowly adapting to it. US Open is the first Grand Slam to be organized in the Pandemic Era. The authorities previously promised they’ll put safety at the forefront at all times.

Now, we have an inside scoop in the US Open from one of the players. In a recent interview with Serbian publication Sportklub, Dusan Lajovic talked about the US Open rules and safety measures taken.

US Open Is Adapting To The New Normal

Things are changing in the Flushing Meadows. With Lajovic’s descriptions, it seems the USTA Billie Jean King Centre is ready for the US Open and Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000. Lajovic landed in New York via Madrid. He gave a brief account of his reception –

“The control at the airport passed quickly, they were waiting for us there and took us directly to the hotel. There is a hotel on Long Island, about forty minutes from the club, so it is quite far. They take us to the club by bus, there are no more cars than buses that go every fifteen minutes, they are not full capacity, you have to make a reservation,” Lajovic said.

“When we arrived, they tested us at 7.30 pm, the next morning at 10 the results arrived, and by then there was no way out of the room. When the results arrive, if you are negative, you go for accreditation, and then you can go anywhere with it. Every day, a questionnaire is filled out to see if you feel any symptoms, the temperature is measured, etc,” the current World No. Twenty-three added.

READ MORE – “It’s Exceeded Our Expectations” – US Open 2020 Organizers Optimistic Despite Many Withdrawals

Restricted Movements

When asked about the difference between the new circumstances and the old, he said, “It’s similar for the players on the complex as before, the only thing is that there are no delays in the locker room – a quick shower and that’s it. The holders have apartments at the Arthur Ash Stadium, that’s a good thing – a massage table, a refrigerator, a bathroom, a salon…. Players can bring one person into the restaurant and that apartment; the second and third person can be at the complex on the side.”

The player further emphasizes, “It’s weird, it’s weird to fly to New York now, it’s all kind of ‘wow’. We will see how it will be without the audience, it will only be bizarre. The tennis players are satisfied and have positive reactions to how it is organized, the protocol is followed, nothing is missing, they tried to make us feel as normal as possible. We have to wear a mask all the time, except when we train and eat and drink. Now we can only eat at the hotel, but it won’t be a problem because there are so many weeks that are like this tournament now – you play somewhere where you don’t go to dinner, for example. in China, I mostly have dinner at a hotel. It doesn’t seem to me that it’s a huge problem.”

(Quotes have been translated)

Last year, Lajovic played in the first round in Cincinnati and went to the second round in US Open. This year, he has an excellent opportunity to win more points.

US Open commences on and from 31 August 2020.