USTA pressing ahead with plans to host the US Open and Western & Southern Open

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The 2020 US Open and Western & Southern Open are set to go ahead as planned with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) insisting that they “have developed a strong health and safety plan”.

Tennis is set to resume in August following a five-month break and the Flushing Meadows double header, the Western & Southern Open and US Open, are pencilled in for later in the month.

However, there were doubts over both events due to health concerns and fears that international players might be banned from travelling to and from the United States.

Earlier this week world No 1 Ashleigh Barty became the highest-profile player to confirm that she won’t compete at the US Open due to coronavirus fears while several other top players have indicated that they might not travel to the US.

World No 1 Ashleigh Barty pulls out of US Open due to Covid-19 risks, yet to make French Open decision

USTA, though, have assured the tennis community that plans “remain on track”.

“The USTA continues its plans to stage the US Open and host both the US Open and Western Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” a statement said.

“We remain confident that our top priority, the health and safety of all involved in both tournaments, remains on track.”

It continued: “We have developed a strong health and safety plan to mitigate the risk of infection within the contained environment comprised of the tournament site and player hotels.

“New York State continues to be one of the safest places in the country as it relates to the COVID-19 virus. Details of this health and safety plan will be released at a later date closer to the tournament.”

USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier also played down concerns over international travel.

“We also are making tremendous progress in international travel, not only for coming to New York but traveling from here to Europe and elsewhere. So at this moment, we are very confident we will be holding the two events in those scheduled dates,” he told The Associated Press.

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