US Open - No Qualifying !

Well, it has been announced - the USTA and the New York governor are still congratulating themselves for providing the world with the 2020 US Open beginning on 31 August as originally scheduled.

However, this edition is somewhat different from the normal Flushing Meadows Grand Slam fortnight, and not just because of the COVID-19 environment clouding it.

At each of the 4 majors, the main draws in singles and doubles are constructed largely from direct entry, based on rankings. There are other spots filled by wildcards allocated at the discretion of tournament organisers.

Then there are places won through success in the qualifying section of the tournament.

In its wisdom, or otherwise, the USTA has chosen to toss qualifying out the door on this occasion, leaving a host of lower ranked players unable to even attempt a path to the main draw.

Instead, the courts at Queens will be used in the week immediately preceding the US Open for the Western & Southern Open. This tournament originally was scheduled to be played a week earlier, and in Cincinnati, Ohio, but decision makers thought it nice to use it as a prelude to the US Open, so shifted the date and place.

Also missing from the US Open will be Mixed Doubles, Juniors, and all Wheelchair competition. Of course, you’d expect that these decisions must have been made after consultations with players. Appears not. Australian wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott was appalled when he found out that his presence was not required, and doubles player Gaby Dabrowski similarly was disappointed to learn about qualifying being dumped in a unilateral manner.

Many players were overlooked as plans were put in place for the reimagined US Open, and subsequently, protestations from some, unhappy with terms and conditions, have seen minor modifications incorporated.

Whether this will result in players changing their original intention not to attend is dubious. An oft expressed alternative is to remain in, or fly to Europe, in preparation for Roland Garros, which will have Madrid and Rome as lead in red clay tournaments.

US Open 2020 and Novak Djokovic

The 2020 US Open and Novak Djokovic

It appears that the USTA is determined to stage the US Open as scheduled in COVID City, sorry New York City, starting late August.

Great news for tennis fans, well those able to watch via television, or alternative media. Because just a couple of months out, this Grand Slam tournament will be contested on courts without crowds.

The pandemic is still enjoying itself more than New Yorkers, despite what some natives would have you believe, and there are many tennis players beyond the home of the brave, who are understandably reticent to travel over oceans to swing racquets in an environment where the hideous virus transmits quicker then a John Isner serve.

Those who are vocal in their doubts of attending, or just critical of proceeding with the event, include the world #1 Novak Djokovic, and two Australians Nick Kyrgios and John Millman.

The thoughts of Kyrgios have been condemned , well mainly because he is Nick, but Djokovic has been the target for the most wide ranging attack, including narrow minded personal abuse on occasion.

All these three have suffered a backlash from players, not surprisingly almost all American, who claim a selfish motive on the part of Djokovic, because of his frown upon restrictions on numbers each is able to bring as an accompaniment.

Never mind that he and others from Europe, Asia, Australia, etc., have health concerns for their families, which would and should be the number one priority in decision making.

The media especially has been harsh towards Djokovic, damning him not just for comments re the US Open, but also for the Adria Tour which he recently organised - a successful clay court exhibition series of tournaments beginning in Serbia, featuring him, together with invited players including retired Jelena Janković and others from Serbia, and Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov.

It was to bring back some tennis, and importantly raise money for charity. However, the only thing most media wanted to highlight, including ex players such as Chris Evert and Paul Annacone, was the lack of social distancing.

They don’t like Djokovic, and will take any opportunity to bring him down, despite the general tennis public welcoming him on and off the court. Novak knows that the Federer adoration factor is a once in a lifetime thing, so comparisons to that are ludicrous.

Novak Djokovic and his foundation deserve more praise than ridicule.

And the US Open should be classified unofficial unless the next two months provide a New York City miracle.