REPORTS: Citi Open on the Verge of Cancelation, Threatens US Open 2020

Just when it was starting to seem like the tennis schedule was slowly returning to normal, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, another shocking news broke out. According to reports, the Citi Open in Washington, due between August 14 and 21, might eventually be canceled. Following that, the 2020 US Open is also doubtful, as of now.

US Open to follow Citi Open?

Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Kei Nishikori were all set to participate in the tournament in Washington.

If the tournament were to take place as per its schedule, it would mark the return of the ATP Tour, after approximately five months. But keeping the latest developments in mind, it is doubtful whether international tennis can return any time soon.

Tennis Break News recently reported that the tennis authorities might announce the cancellation of the tournament within a few hours or days. It is doubtful if players would now travel to the US without the assurance that the Washington tournament will go ahead. A similar fate might be waiting for the US Open. However, as of now, the authorities haven’t revealed any final statement or notice.

“Several concordant sources informed us that the Washington tournament was going to be canceled very soon. The decision of the EU two days ago to keep the borders closed with the USA is perhaps not insignificant in this cancellation…”

(Note: The caption was originally written in French. We translated it using Google’s translation services)

What awaits next?

According to Europe’s recent norms, players can travel to the United States at their will. However, on their return to Europe, they must spend at least 14 days in self-isolation. This means those participating in the US Open are all set to miss the French Open. If we look at it from a ranking point of view, some players may find the European clay season more valuable and viable than the event in New York. So, it is certain that we will see some of the elite players opting out of the US Open soon, given that the tournament happens at all.

As we speak, New York’s COVID-19 scenario seems to have started getting under control. Once the epicenter of the disease in the country, New York recently registered its first day since March without any virus-related deaths.