Serena Williams returns for US Open warm-up amid tennis chaos
Serena Williams returns to competition this week in Lexington as she ramps up her bid for a record-equalling 24th grand slam singles title in New York next month, but otherwise, tennis has little else to shout about.
The decision to go ahead with tournaments in the United States despite the coronavirus pandemic still being in full flow there has caused consternation among many players, with pull-outs happening almost daily.
The hard-court tournaments will be played without fans but that has done little to sway the doubters.
Flushing Meadows reigning champion Rafael Nadal and women’s number one Ash Barty are the most high-profile names to say they will not head to New York for the Cincinnati tournament rearranged for “the Big Apple” from August 21 followed by the US Open from August 31.
Williams, 38, is willing to take a risk, saying she is travelling around with 50 masks.
“I see myself doing it all if it happens,” she said of upcoming tournaments, including heading to Europe for the rearranged French Open from September 27.
Her use of the word if raised eyebrows, but with the Covid-19 situation changing daily and so many players deciding they will not compete, the US Open is already threatening to become a farce in the view of many pundits.
