- Number 1 in the world Ashleigh Barty has retired from the US Open amid fears about the coronavirus.
- The tournament, which will take place behind closed doors in New York on August 31, is the first major tennis event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
- “There are still significant risks associated with COVID-19 and I am not comfortable putting my team and I in that position,” said Barty, 24, according to The Independent.
- Over 150,000 people have died in the United States from COVID-19, which is more than any other country.
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Number 1 in the world Ashleigh Barty has retired from the US Open amid fears about the coronavirus.
The tournament, which will take place behind closed doors in New York between August 31 and September 13, is the first major tennis event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
“My team and I have decided that we will not travel to the United States, and (i) Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year,” Barty told the Australian press Thursday, according to The Independent.
“I love both events, so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks due to Covid-19 and I don’t feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position.
“I wish the United States Tennis Association (USTA) all the best for tournaments and I can’t wait to return to the United States next year.”
Barty, 24, added that she is undecided that she will defend her title at the French Open, which has been reprogrammed to begin in late September.
“I will make my decision on the French Open and the European WTA tournaments in the coming weeks,” said the Australian.
Over 150,000 people have died in the United States from COVID-19, which is more than any other country and accounts for almost a quarter of the world’s total death toll.
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