The US Open offers a glimpse into the future of tennis in the era of the pandemic

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The US Open concludes Sunday after largely accomplishing what was once considered impossible: hosting an international mega-sporting event during the COVID-19 outbreak.

With 6,500 coronavirus tests and more than 25,000 temperature checks administered, the tournament offered a glimpse into how tennis could adapt in the deadly global era of the pandemic.

Months after its famous Flushing Meadows location hosted a field hospital amid a wave of COVID-19 cases, the 2020 US Open began with no fans present and numerous rules in place designed to mitigate health risks. .

Masks were required and high fives forbidden, with signs reminding those present to maintain adequate social distancing. Inside the canteen, staff members slid coffee cups to customers from behind a clear plastic shield, and customers were asked to stand out from each other.

“These four weeks have been able to demonstrate to the world how our sport can return to playing safely,” said tournament director Stacey Allaster. “New York has recovered. The US Open has recovered. “

However, there were moments of controversy.

Frenchman Benoit Paire was withdrawn from the tournament the weekend before it began after testing positive for COVID-19, with a handful of other players forced into an “advanced protocol” – otherwise referred to as the “bubble within the bubble” – after having had contact with him.

Top doubles player Kristina Mladenovic, who had gotten nervous about the enhanced protocol, was later withdrawn from the tournament after neighboring Nassau County, New York, issued a quarantine order.

But since the start of the game, none of the 365 contestants at the US Open have tested positive for the virus, which has devastated the United States, causing more than 190,000 deaths.

Four positive tests were carried out among the on-site support staff on Friday.

“In times when we perhaps thought it wasn’t going to happen, adversity was there, I remember talking to Billie (Jean King). He said, “Stace, remember who you serve,” ”Allaster said. “We are serving our sport. It was an incredible privilege. “

The top contenders will return to the Grand Slam competition at the end of the month at Roland Garros, which has been postponed due to the outbreak. Unlike the US Open, the tournament plans to allow a limited number of spectators, a decision Allaster said he trusted.

Your advice to the French Open officials? “Stay on course.”

“Stay focused on the fact that this is an invisible enemy,” he said. “From the moment you open the doors to staff, partners, athletes and members of their support team, let yourself be guided by medical science and doctors.”