OT: Serena Williams will compete in US Open

[eebmg]

This may help other top women's players choose to come.

Serena Williams says she'll play in the US Open

Twenty-three-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams announced she will compete in the 2020 US Open tennis tournament.

www.espn.com

 

[KY Card Fan]

I'm glad to see this. I'm a huge sports fan and have been fortunate enough to attend Final Fours for both WBB and MBB, the Indianapolis 500, the Masters and (of course) multiple Kentucky Derbies.

My wife's second sport, after WBB, is tennis. Serena Williams is her favorite player. Two years ago we were able to see her play two matches in Cincinnati. A bucket list item for my wife, for sure.

 

[eebmg]

but Simona Halep is thumbs down (at the moment). Sounds less like medical and more like the open operating conditions.

Halep: No plans to play US Open, could change

Two-time major champion and former No. 1 Simona Halep says she does not "currently plan to play" at the 2020 US Open but says her decision is not set in stone.

www.espn.com

 

[EricLA]

but Simona Halep is thumbs down (at the moment). Sounds less like medical and more like the open operating conditions.

Halep: No plans to play US Open, could change

Two-time major champion and former No. 1 Simona Halep says she does not "currently plan to play" at the 2020 US Open but says her decision is not set in stone.

www.espn.com

The less top players who show up, the easier it will be for Serena to win another grand slam. I'm sure the closer it gets to the tourney, the easier it will be to figure out protocol.

 

[eebmg]

The less top players who show up, the easier it will be for Serena to win another grand slam. I'm sure the closer it gets to the tourney, the easier it will be to figure out protocol.

I really have no sympathy for the top players avoiding the US Open. I cant think of a sport better suited for social distancing. They seem annoyed by restrictions on their entourage and I guess they don't like international travel but you can certainly buy out rows of seats on the plane (in first class)

And when Kyrgios says the US Open is selfish, you know you stepped through the looking glass.

 

[EricLA]

I really have no sympathy for the top players avoiding the US Open. I cant think of a sport better suited for social distancing. They seem annoyed by restrictions on their entourage and I guess they don't like international travel but you can certainly buy out rows of seats on the plane (in first class)

And when Kyrgios says the US Open is selfish, you know you stepped through the looking glass.

More than that, players who make it to the round of 32 get $162,000. If that isn't worth a little discomfort, I don't know what is. For 1 week of work? Round of 16 is $280,000. Quarterfinalists, $500,000.

That's a $h:tload of money. If they don't want to participate, I'm sure someone else will gladly take their place.

 

[bbfanLA]

If you lose in the first round, you get $11,000. I’d fly to New York to do that.