The 2020 US Open will eventually be held, but it’s still a big question how many players outside the USA will decide to take the trip and contest this restricted version of the event. The latest news is that world No.1 Ashleigh Barty has confirmed that she will skip the Grand Slam this year, as well as the Western & Southern Open organized at the same venue right before, because of risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
I love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to COVID-19 and I don’t feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position. I wish the USTA all the best for the tournaments and look forward to being back in the U.S. next year.
Barty is yet to decide whether she will go to Paris to defend her title at the rescheduled Roland Garros in late September:
I will make my decision on the French Open and the surrounding WTA European tournaments in the coming weeks.
The relocated Western & Southern Open will feature five former champions, including defending champion Madison Keys, 14 Top 20 players and five players ranked inside the Top 10 (Sofia Kenin, Belinda Bencic, Karolina Pliskova, Kiki Bertens and Serena Williams). (source: ESPN)
I wonder how many players will show up in the end. I hear Naomi Osaka will play.
Simon, yes, Naomi has been confirmed. I guess that it is in the best interest of a lot of players to go to NYC. I think that the majority will show up if they can.