Murray predicts more U.S. Open
withdrawals after Barty
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[July 31, 2020]
(Reuters) - Britain's Andy
Murray expects some of the top male players to follow women's world
number one Ash Barty in skipping next month's U.S. Open in New York
due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Australian Barty said on Thursday she was not comfortable travelling
to the United States amid the pandemic for the hardcourt Grand Slam,
which begins on Aug. 31.
"I have heard some of the top male players aren't going to play. I
would expect that would be the case," former world number one Murray
told British media.
"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."
Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams have all entered the
Aug. 20-28 Western & Southern Open in New York, which was relocated
from Cincinnati this year because of COVID-19 and will serve as a
tune-up for the U.S. Open.
Both tournaments will be played without fans in attendance with
organisers United States Tennis Association planning to set up a
strict bio-security 'bubble' to minimize the risk of contracting the
novel coronavirus.
"All of the players will have some reservations and it's whether or
not you feel comfortable taking that risk," Murray said at the
Battle Of The Brits Team Tennis event.
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Britain's Andy Murray celebrates winning his match against
Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor REUTERS/Susana Vera
"Like I said the other day, my feeling is once we are inside that
bubble they created, we will be okay. It's more the international
travel, and getting there which I will be a bit concerned about it."
Murray has previously said he was still "apprehensive" about
travelling to New York but he is mentally preparing for the Grand
Slam.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Peter Rutherford
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