Probably the most unusual US Open: everything you need to know

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are missing. In the case of women, even six top ten players manage. The most unusual US Open in history kicks off Monday in New York. You can find everything you need to know here.

A few weeks ago, hardly anyone would have thought it was possible for them to take place. After all, the number of infections in the US remains high, and New York has been a tipping point in the pandemic in the meantime. And then at the tennis facility in Flushing Meadows, which was temporarily an infirmary. But the American tennis association, USTA, really wanted to organize the tournament, also for economic reasons, of course. Spectators are not allowed.

For almost an hour, those responsible for the last time reported on the extensive measures in the so-called bubble at a press conference. He sees the greatest risk in players not adhering to distance rules, warned Dr. Bernard Camins, the USTA expert. Players and their companions are isolated in hotels near the airport and on the premises and should only have closer contact with other people in this bubble. Even players who have chosen a private house for their accommodation cannot receive non-bubble guests.

Professionals receive their accreditation with which they enter the system only after a negative corona test result. A second test is needed 48 hours after the first, then tested every four days. Anyone that is positive must be quarantined and removed from the tournament. The trips to Manhattan that are so popular with many are taboo. “You can’t go to Manhattan, but we will bring you Manhattan,” says tournament director Stacey Allaster.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are the most prominent names missing. Federer has already finished his season after knee surgery, Nadal recently announced that he would be without him. Furthermore, Frenchman Gaël Monfils is not among the top ten in the world rankings. Stan Wawrinka also resigned. The picture is different for women: six (!) Of the top ten players do not compete: world number one Ashleigh Barty (Australia), number two Simona Halep (Romania), defending champion Bianca Andreescu (Canada), Jelina Switolina (Ukraine)), Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) and Belinda Bencic (Switzerland).

You will not find Swiss players among men. In the women’s category, Jil Teichmann will face Spain’s Aliona Bolsava (WTA 103) in the first round. Stefanie Vögele is the clear outsider against Grieching Maria Sakkari (WTA 21). Viktorija Golubic, meanwhile, is the favorite in the match against Belarusian Vera Lapko (WTA 352).

With men, world number one Novak Djokovic is of course the absolute top seed, not just since the cancellations of Nadal and Federer. The Serbian is aiming for his 18th Grand Slam win. For women, forecasts are much more difficult. Exceptional athlete Serena Williams wants to know again, but recently lost early in preparatory tournaments since her return. Czech Karolina Pliskova is number one. Naomi Osaka, who won in New York in 2018 and reached the finals of the preparatory tournament that moved from Cincinnati to New York, was in good shape.

With her resignation announced from the semifinals at the Masters event, Naomi Osaka made headlines. In protest against racism and police violence in the United States, the Japanese did not want to play. The result: all the semifinals were postponed one day. Without a doubt, the subject will also play a role during the US Open. How vehemently it depends on new developments in the US.

As in previous years, the US Open can be seen on SRF two. Furthermore, Eurosport also broadcasts as usual. Games start at 11am local time (5pm CEST), the so-called night session starts at 7pm (1am CEST).