16 June 2020

US Open to go ahead behind closed doors at end of August as New York eases lockdown measures

The US Tennis Open has been cleared to go ahead at the end of August as part of the post-lockdown reopening of New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo has confirmed.

Scheduled for August 31-September 13, the event will be held at Flushing Meadows after plans from United States Tennis Association (USTA) were approved.

"The US Open will be held in Queens, NY, without fans from August 31 to September 13," tweeted Cuomo.

He added: "The USTA will take extraordinary precautions to protect players and staff, including robust testing, additional cleaning, extra locker room space, and dedicated housing & transportation."

The announcement comes despite a number of players expressing concern over the safety of holding the tournament and raising questions over travel bans and quarantine.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic said the measures in place were ‘extreme’ while Nick Kyrgios joked that he would need a hazard suit in order to quarantine after the tournament.

The event is currently due to finish only a week before the rescheduled French Open which is scheduled to start on September 20.

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