US Open without fans with ‘Arthur Ashe Stadium being empty’ would be strange but iconic, says Dan Evans
It is not ideal, but Dan Evans believes the US Open with no fans “could be an amazing spectacle”, adding that if the tournament goes ahead “it would send out a real statement”.
The 2020 US Open is due to be staged at Flushing Meadows from August 31-September 13, but with New York the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, there are major doubts over the tournament.
Organisers are not keen on staging the event without fans while there have also been suggestions they could move it to another state.
However, British No 1 Evans says he would be in favour of a US Open behind closed doors.
“Me, personally, I would love it to go ahead,” he told The Guest List on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think it would send out a real statement that we can get back going.
“It could be an amazing spectacle that tennis goes ahead with no-one in the stadium, and everybody watching on telly.
“Arthur Ashe Stadium being empty, and Federer and Nadal or whoever playing the final would be so strange, but it would also be iconic. How good that would look in years to come.”
There has been no competitive tennis since the start of March with the earliest possible return set for August 1, but players are likely to take part in smaller invitational events over the next few weeks.
Doubles Grand Slam champion Jamie Murray is organising a behind-closed doors exhibition event for London and Evans is impressed by his Davis Cup team-mate’s work ethic.
“It’s great what Jamie’s doing,” he said.
“He’s represented Britain for so long in the Davis Cup, and this is just another thing that says: ‘I really am a team player.’ He’s trying to help the British players, and get a tournament on at a time where we could really do with some tennis.”
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
ATP TourRoger Federer’s coach gives positive update about 20-time Grand Slam winner’s rehabilitation
A Roger Federer fitness update.
-
French Open‘We’re expecting most of the players to come to our event,’ says French Open tournament director
Remains to be seen who will play at French Open.
-
ATP TourFrances Tiafoe withdraws from exhibition tournament in Atlanta after testing positive for coronavirus
Frances Tiafoe under quarantine after positive test.
-
T365 RecallT365 Recall: Trailblazer Arthur Ashe becomes Wimbledon’s first black men’s champion
Ashe beat Jimmy Connors in the SW19 final.
-
Australian Open2021 Australian Open still going ahead as planned in January, insists tournament director
‘Nothing has changed,’ says Craig Tiley.
-
US OpenDaniil Medvedev admits it will be ‘bizarre’ playing night matches at US Open without any fans
Daniil Medvedev eager to return to action.
-
-
French OpenRoland Garros confirms ‘up to 60%’ capacity for French Open, Covid-19 protocols for players being finalised
Fans will be allowed to attend 2020 French Open.
-
WTA TourMartina Navratilova backs teenager Coco Gauff to ‘change the world for the better’
Praise for Coco Gauff from Martina Navratilova.
-
ATP TourNovak Djokovic and his wife Jelena return negative coronavirus tests after self-isolating
Good news from the Novak Djokovic camp.