After months of speculation that the US Open would actually take place during scheduled time due to the coronavirus pandemic, players have finally arrived on location in New York and have already felt at home for no fan reasons.
Sure, things look a little different this year and a lot of big names won’t be attending, but those in Queens are already making the most of the somewhat surreal experience.
With the Western & Southern Open, typically held in Cincinnati, having been moved to the site for a two-tournament bubble, play for that event will begin on Thursday, so the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center appears to be full of activity and, you know, real competitive tennis for the next few weeks.
And after spending months without professional tennis, we absolutely love seeing it.
Here are some of our favorite Queens scenes so far:
Sloane Stephens
Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, showed exactly what it’s like for the players once they get there. They are required to undergo a test for COVID-19 almost immediately, then quarantine in their hotel room or private accommodation pending the result. Stephens made her relief more than clear when she found out she was negative. We are a queen who follows protocol.
the best text to receive these days ???? pic.twitter.com/wt4OTEGNGn
– sloanestephens (@SloaneStephens) 19 August 2020
Olympia Ohanian
OK, Olympia isn’t technically a professional tennis player, but she is Australian Open champion He is an owner of an NWSL team, so this definitely guarantees his inclusion here. Also, the only thing we have more than one protocol-following queen is a protocol-following girl and the daughter of one of the greatest athletes of all time. Yes, Serena Williams’ daughter and husband Alexis Ohanian are already on site and both have undergone the necessary tests and in the meantime have shown their masks.
Naomi Osaka
Osaka’s first post from New York is a slow-motion video of her serve in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sure, the ball isn’t actually in, but it looks interesting and shows that the 2018 US Open champion means serious business.
Novak Djokovic
After the collapse of his Adria Tour following a COVID-19 outbreak that included himself, world number 1 and three-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic wasted no time in returning to Arthur Ashe Stadium. Together with his friend and compatriot Filip Krajinović, the duo seemed happy to be back in the center of the field and not causing controversy.
Alexander Zverev
Djokovic is a 17-time senior champion, but it turns out he also has some sharp shooting skills. When he noticed the world no. 7 Zverev, who was loitering in one of the private suites in the crowd during his time on Ashe, hit two balls perfectly, hundreds of meters away. Come for the big hits and catches, stay for the eerie echoes of Zverev’s voice in the empty stadium.
Kim Clijsters and Jennifer Brady
After eight years away from her favorite tournament, you can’t blame Kim Clijsters – herself a three-time champion at the event – for heading straight to Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, not having recently retired for a second time, Clijsters did not jump on the pitch quite like Djokovic. Instead, he hilariously spotted his friend (and recent WTA first-time tour winner) Jennifer Brady across the stadium, and he needed to show how good his eyesight was and why he remains one of the most popular players on tour of his. peers. Brady answered perfectly.
Hahahahha @Clijsterskim I thought I saw you in that suite in front of me ???? https://t.co/KeAnGq5dLR
– Jennifer Brady (@ jennifurbrady95) 19 August 2020
Felix Auger-Aliassime
With no fans present, players were given individual private suites to use, which pretty much feels like the biggest thing ever, complete with snacks and lots of other snacks. Auger-Aliassime gave his followers a spin on social media, before hilariously locating Zverev from his suite across the street. “What do you think you’re doing? Put on a bloody shirt, man,” the 20-year-old Canadian joked.
A first look at the private player suites ????
(With a special appearance from @AlexZverev ????)
????: @felixtennis on Instagram pic.twitter.com/RyXhHsIFkj
– ATP Tour (@atptour) 17 August 2020
Caty McNally
After a breakout tournament in 2019, when she nearly pulled Serena Williams’ upset and enchanted the world as half of #McCoco with her friend Coco Gauff, Caty McNally won’t let the temporary quarantine stop her vibe. While supposedly awaiting test results, the 18-year-old did her best to get into Slam form from the confines of her hotel room.
doing shadow swings while quarantined in my room and trying not to pull the tv out with a backhand ????????????
– Caty McNally (@CatyMcNally) August 18, 2020
Johanna Konta
While the courts are generally mobbed by fans, even during qualifiers, this year gives players unprecedented access, and perhaps no one has taken advantage of it more than Konta. The 2019 US Open quarter-final (which got Loki cheering for much of the tournament) created an area near one of the entrances in his personal conditioning space. You have to love resourcefulness.
???????????????? pic.twitter.com/gyw0nVpMIn
– Johanna Konta (@JohannaKonta) 19 August 2020
Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev, the reigning champion of the Western & Southern Open and runner-up at the US Open, became one of the most adorable (yes, possible) heels in the history of the sport during his 2019 show. Although he sadly didn’t provide a video of himself recreating none of his post-match ICONIC interviews – however – he shared a picture after his first workout, and we’re honestly thrilled to see him on the spot again.
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