There’s been a lot of discussion as to how many players will eventually show up at the 2020 US Open set to take place despite the coronavirus pandemic and the USTA surprised us with good news today: 13 Grand Slam singles champions and nine of the Top 10 women in the world headline the initial women’s singles entry list.
The field is led by two-time major winner Simona Halep of Romania, followed by Karolina Pliskova, reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, Elina Svitolina, defending champion Bianca Andreescu, Kiki Bertens, Belinda Bencic, six-time US Open and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, and the 2018 US Open and two-time Grand Slam titlist Naomi Osaka. As you can see, only top-ranked Ashleigh Barty is missing, as the Australian announced that she would skip the Grand Slam due to significant risks presented by COVID-19.
Eight additional Grand Slam champions are entered into the field, including: Petra Kvitova, Garbine Muguruza, Angelique Kerber, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Sloane Stephens, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, and Venus Williams.
World No.127 Lizette Cabrera of Australia is the last player to receive direct entry into the women’s singles field. Four players entered using protected rankings: No.78 Vera Zvonareva of Russia, a former world No.2, No.85 Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine, No.120 Vera Lapko of Belarus, and No.123 Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria. Eight additional wildcard entries will be selected by the USTA.
The 19 Americans who received direct entry into this year’s US Open are Sofia Kenin, Serena Williams, Madison Keys, Alison Riske, Amanda Anisimova, Sloane Stephens, Jennifer Brady, Danielle Collins, Coco Gauff, Bernarda Pera, Lauren Davis, Venus Williams, Taylor Townsend, Madison Brengle, Jessica Pegula, Christina McHale, Kristie Ahn, Shelby Rogers, and Caty McNally.
The 2020 US Open will be played from August 31st to September 13th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.
