Andy Murray says ‘some of the top male players aren’t going to play’ at the US Open
Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray expects more top names to follow women’s world No 1 Ashleigh Barty in pulling out of the US Open.
Barty announced her withdrawal from the Grand Slam event in New York, and a warm-up tournament at the same venue, due to fears over the coronavirus.
Murray claims to have heard that some of the top men’s players will also pull out, even though his commitment to travel to the United States remains firm.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic, who has already had Covid-19 after hosting an exhibition event in Serbia and Croatia without social distancing protocols, and defending champion Rafael Nadal have both previously expressed doubts about playing in the tournament but are both currently listed as entering the Western & Southern Open that precedes the US Open.
The Scot said: “The Ash Barty withdrawal, I think we will see it quite a bit.
“I have heard some of the top male players aren’t going to play. I would expect that would be the case. It’s everyone’s personal decision.
“If they don’t feel safe and don’t feel comfortable travelling and going there and putting themselves and their team at an increased risk, then it’s completely understandable.
“All of the players will have some reservations and it’s whether or not you feel comfortable taking that risk. Like I said the other day, my feeling is once we are inside that bubble they created, we will be OK.
“It’s more the international travel and getting there which I will be a bit concerned about.”
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