After a tumultuous week in the tennis world, Japanese players are raising concerns about plans to restart tours for men and women in the US later this summer.
While ATP and WTA will return to empty stadiums – which wasn’t the case with the unfortunate Adriatic tour organized by Novak Djokovic, which led to a mini-cluster of COVID-19 infections among players, including World No. 1 itself – some wonder about the feasibility of major tournaments, including the US Open.
Restarting in the middle of a pandemic is a special challenge for a sport in which players from all over the world come together. Last year, over 50 countries and states were represented in the US Open individual draws for men and women.
Before the positive tests for Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov and Borna Coric, among others for players and coaches, Yoshihito Nishioka said he was concerned about the resumption of competition tennis.
“I think it’s too early,” he told the Japan Times earlier this month, expressing concern about the risks players are still facing. “I think we have to wait a little longer.” After news of Djokovic’s positive test, Nishioka’s concern seemed to be mounting, and the world’s number 48 asked on Twitter if the season could really start as planned.
“If players from all over the world gather in the same hotel and are not allowed to go out, doesn’t that lead to a cluster?” he asked.
Misaki Doi, the world’s number 76, admitted in an interview on Saturday that she was also worried about going on tour again.
“There are still many cases and I don’t think it’s safe. But I also understand that someone has to start.”
Doi also contrasted the Adriatic Tour, in which social distance measures were an afterthought and saw players celebrate in Belgrade, with the planned measures of the US Open to avoid a flare-up of the virus. The United States Tennis Association has announced numerous measures to make the event as safe as possible, including testing, hygiene and limiting the number of people who can be on site at the same time.
“After training through consultations with experts and planning around the clock for three months, we are confident that we have a plan that is safe, sustainable and right for our sport. This historic endeavor will give the entire tennis industry and community a tremendous boost that is desperately needed in these difficult times, ”said USTA President Patrick Galbraith in a statement on June 16 that announced plans for the 2020 event.
Despite her concern, Doi said she would continue the trip to New York as long as the tournament continues.
Nishioka, who spoke earlier this month, also said he would play when the tour resumes. After the episodes of the Adriatic tour, he could not be reached for comment.
Obviously, players are itching to get back on the pitch from both a competitive and financial perspective, even if coronavirus logs mean they are not returning to the same sport they left.
Nishioka, the No. 2 Japanese, said he was disappointed not to be able to play this summer, especially at the Tokyo Olympics, which he had identified as his primary goal for the 2020 season. He says he has been busy with much of the virus-disrupting competition from a variety of TV appearances and regular uploads to his YouTube channel.
Players cannot play and lose money now, so they have to try different things, Nishioka said of his efforts to raise the profile of tennis and improve his own brand. “I don’t have tournaments now, but I’m having a good time in Japan,” he added. For her part, Doi said it was initially difficult to concentrate on tennis without reaching immediate goals.
“Tennis players are always busy. Every week we go to a different country and play tournaments. I’ve been doing it for about 10 years. So it’s a strange feeling,” she said.
“Of course I want to play games, so I hope everything is fine.”
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