Serena 'cannot wait' to play in this year's U.S. Open

Fears that strict health protocols due to the COVID-19 outbreak could deter the game's biggest names from competing at this year's U.S. Open were somewhat allayed on Wednesday when Serena Williams confirmed she will play the New York event.

Williams, in a video message played during a United States Tennis Association news conference to announce that its marquee tournament will be played from August 31 to September 13 without fans, said she misses the excitement of competition.

"Ultimately, I really cannot wait to return to New York and play the U.S. Open 2020," the seven-times champion said.

"I feel like the USTA is going to do a really good job of ensuring everything is amazing and everything is perfect and everyone is safe."

Serena Williams speaks to media following her women's singles third round defeat to Wang Qiang of China on day five of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, January 24, 2020. /VCG

A number of top players, including world number ones Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Australian Ash Barty along with reigning U.S. Open men's champion Rafa Nadal, are among those who have expressed concerns about attending the U.S. Open.

One sticking point is the number of support staff they can bring on site, which the USTA said it is still trying to sort out.

The decision will impact the upper echelon of players who typically travel to events with a coach, hitting partner, physiotherapist and fitness guru.

On Wednesday, the Romanian women's world number two Simona Halep told Reuters that she does not currently plan to play the tournament with the health protocols put in place due to the pandemic.

Romania's Simona Halep in action during the final against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina at the Dubai Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 22, 2020. /VCG

"Given the conditions outlined in the U.S. Open announcement this morning, as of today I do not currently plan to play in NYC," Halep said in an emailed statement.

Halep, however, said she could reconsider her stand if the situation improved by the entry deadline in mid-July and has informed the USTA and the women's WTA Tour of her decision.

"I would like to underline that my decision is not set in stone," she added.

(Cover image: Serena Williams of the United States plays a forehand against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia during the 2020 Fed Cup qualifier between USA and Latvia at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, February 7, 2020. /VCG)

Source(s): Reuters