New York Provides US Open Approval; World Team Tennis Rosters Announced, Includes Teens Nakashima and McNally
New York governor Andrew Cuomo gave the state's approval for this year's US Open, which prompted this statement from USTA CEO and Executive Director Michael Dowse:
June 16, 2020
Statement from Mike Dowse, USTA Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
We are incredibly excited that Governor Cuomo and New York State have today approved our plan to host the 2020 US Open and 2020 Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. We recognize the tremendous responsibility of hosting one of the first global sporting events in these challenging times, and we will do so in the safest manner possible, mitigating all potential risks. We now can give fans around the world the chance to watch tennis' top athletes compete for a US Open title, and we can showcase tennis as the ideal social distancing sport. Being able to hold these events in 2020 is a boost for the City of New York and the entire tennis landscape. We will have more details and an official announcement tomorrow.
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I have been invited to a USTA conference call tomorrow morning that will feature Dowse, Katrina Adams, Stacey Allaster and Dr. Brian Hainline, so I'm sure many of the details Dowse refers to above will be addressed then. We should find out if the Junior Championships have been canceled, which I expect, and if any media will be allowed on site.
World Team Tennis is set for its three-week season at The Greenbrier beginning on July 12th, and the rosters for the nine teams were finalized today. Eighteen-year-old Brandon Nakashima will be playing on the Chicago Smash, a team added this year, with Sloane Stephens the marquee star of that team. Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe, Monica Puig, Kim Clijsters and Milos Raonic were added to rosters today. Comments from Tiafoe and Stephens can be found in this release.
Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim tweeted a two-page notice from the US Open, which appears to have been provided to players, that gives more details on tournament from their perspective. Those tweets are below:
Page 1/2 pic.twitter.com/j0BeJmrSEk— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) June 16, 2020
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) June 16, 2020
World Team Tennis is set for its three-week season at The Greenbrier beginning on July 12th, and the rosters for the nine teams were finalized today. Eighteen-year-old Brandon Nakashima will be playing on the Chicago Smash, a team added this year, with Sloane Stephens the marquee star of that team. Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe, Monica Puig, Kim Clijsters and Milos Raonic were added to rosters today. Comments from Tiafoe and Stephens can be found in this release.
Chicago Smash:
Brandon Nakashima, Sloane Stephens, Evan King, Genie Bouchard, Rajeev Ram
Coach: Kamau Murray
New York Empire:
Mardy Fish, Jack Sock, Sabine Lisicki, Neal Skupski, Kveta Peschke, Kim Clijsters
Coach: Luke Jensen
Orange County Breakers:
Steve Johnson, Luke Bambridge, Andreja Klepac, Milos Raonic
Coach: Rick Leach
Orlando Storm:
James Ward, Danielle Collins, Ken Skupski, Darija Jurak, Tennys Sandgren
Coach: Jay Gooding
Philadelphia Freedoms:
Donald Young, Taylor Townsend, Fabrice Martin, Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin
Coach: Craig Kardon
San Diego Aviators:
Ryan Harrison, Christina McHale, Jonny O’Mara, Nicole Melichar, Coco Vandeweghe
Coach: John Lloyd
Springfield Lasers:
Mitchell Krueger, Olga Govortsova, Robert Lindstedt, Hayley Carter, Jean-Julien Rojer, Caty McNally
Coach: John-Laffnie de Jager
Vegas Rollers:
Sam Querrey, Kristie Ahn, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Asia Muhammad, Monica Puig
Coach: Tim Blenkiron
Washington Kastles:
Marcelo Arevalo, Bernarda Pera, Nick Monroe, Arina Rodionova, Frances Tiafoe
Coach: Robby Ginepri
The WTT also announced its protocol if a player or coach arrives at The Greenbrier and tests positive or tests positive during the season. Because fans are being allowed at matches, they are subject to two temperature checks each day. There will be electronic line calling and no ballrunners or high-fives/handshakes, according to this Associated Press article.
2 comments:
USTA Florida announced the return of junior tournaments in July. All tournament check in will be done via cell phone. A text sent to players when to report to a court by court number and time. After the match, scores reported using cell phone.
Sounds like a workable system to avoid kids and parents crowding at the tournament desk.
Who wants to bet the money-grabbing USTA will charge exorbitant daily fees for on-line "FANS" to view US OPEN live action. Remember, the USTA is all about money and nothing but money. Forget the idea of promoting tennis. If you don't agree, just look at the outrageous salaries the higher-ups are making.
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