US Open 2020 Rules – Details of How the Tournament Will Work Amid Coronavirus Threat

Tennis will be returning in just over a month. There are still a fair bit of issues that need addressing. The US Open and the French Open are happening very close to each other and certain protocols are troubling the players.

According to Marca, the US Open has sent players a new set of protocols and procedures to be followed. And these will be applicable in the Cincinnati Masters as the ATP 1000 event will also be held in Flushing Meadows. The protocols will be enforced on August 15.

There is no mandatory quarantine in Europe after participating in the US Open

The major concerns the players had was with the quarantine time. Many players were unclear if they had to quarantine in Europe after returning from the US since the Madrid Open is happening just after the US Open. But with the new rules, players will be allowed to participate without the 14 day quarantine period. They just have to provide a certificate certifying that they are coronavirus negative.

The participants will be checked every four days and then be allowed to train or play. Earlier, it was also announced that the US Open will happen without fans.

The major issue that world number one Novak Djokovic had was with the entourage limit. Nowadays players have a huge support staff comprising coaches, physios, etc. Hence the US Open had set a limit of one person being allowed on the court with the player to mitigate the risk of transmission. But that rule can now be ignored if team members are tested negative.

Even so, players might have doubts over their fitness. As the tournaments are scheduled to happen nonstop, the question will be whether players will be able to stay injury-free, and in their prime during the hectic six weeks.

The pandemic though has not eased in the US. And that might be an issue which the USTA can’t control. Defending champion Rafael Nadal has indicated he doesn’t want to take the risk of traveling to the US. Let’s see how the situation pans out in the next few weeks.

Source: Marca