The “You Can’t Stop Us” advert – featuring 53 Nike athletes – is set to debut on US TV screens during the return of the NBA. Rafael Nadal, LeBron James, Serena Williams and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the big names to feature in the 90-second clip.
You can watch the Nike ad below. You’ll see our champ around the 20-second mark.
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Benoit Paire has tested positive and is out of the US Open. Gasquet and two other players have to quarantine. Have to wonder how someone broke the bubble under supposedly tight scrutiny.
This doesn’t make sense to me Pauline. Paire was feeling sick last Saturday but his infection was not announced until 8 days later?
I don’t think we have the full story. Another false positive? Is there a hole in the bubble? Like you, I also wonder how this could happen.
I’ve been searching to find out how many players signed on to the new players group. Nada.
If a false positive keeps him from playing he might find a clever lawyer who could devise a way around the waiver to sue the USTA. It would be worth a try.
FYI-On Vasek Pospisil’s instagram there’s a photo of the guys in the new PTPA. Looks like about 50 players but can’t distinguish who they are with their masks on. Presumably more who are not in NY will join online.
I don’t like the way Rafa belittles Tennis by continually saying, “Tennis is secondary, there are other important things than tennis”
Rafa should be grateful for Tennis. It is Tennis that has made him live the kind of amazing life he’s living, tennis has brought him world-wide fame. Tennis has made Rafa wine and dine with King’s and Queens. Tennis has made Rafa a millionaire many times over such that he can afford anything he desires in this world – luxury mansions, magnificent yatchs, expensive vacations to exotic places around the world. Tennis has infact also contributed to keeping his family together as one.
Tennis has made Rafa a hero, a living legend globally. Tennis is the life of Rafa; Rafa is tennis. Rafa should therefore be very grateful for tennis and stop being hypocritical by downgrading tennis at every instance.
Without tennis, Rafa would not likely live such a wonderful life. Without tennis, Rafa would likely be just the next guy on the street. He should show more gratitude to the sport that made him who he is.
Mohammed Ali never downgraded boxing. Tyson is making a comeback next month to boxing because boxing is life and he knows it. Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Novak would never ever downgrade or belittle tennis the way Rafa does. To them tennis is everything because it has brought them unimaginable glories.
For them, nothing could be more important than tennis hence their willingness to suffer to risk even their wonderful lives to play tennis. Pandemic or no pandemic, tennis – which is their lives – MUST GO ON!
I suspect that Rafa has already anticipated that he is not likely to end up with more slams than Djokovic hence the resort to downplaying the importance of tennis. This is also the hidden truth behind his ‘hiding’ in his room under the pretext of a raging pandemic, whilst his mates are out there suffering and putting everything on the line to ensure their lives (which is tennis) continues by all means.
Novak has now equalled Rafa’s ATP 1000 record while Rafa hides under the sheets on his bed afraid of a virus. Had Roger not been indisposed, he would have been out there snatching his life (tennis) from the hands of the virus. Our lives must continue no matter what. If we hide under the sheets, where will the Frontline workers saving lives hide?
The Bible says, ” He who saves his life would lose it; he who loses his life would save it” Serena, Andy, Novak, Tiger Woods are all out ‘losing’ their lives to save their sport, which is ALL they’ve got! All kudos to them.
Rafa should tell us those things that are more important than tennis. Rafa should tell us those things that are more important than being a champion. Rafa should tell us those things that are more important than being the Primus Inter Pares, the G.O.A.T. Rafa should tell us those things that are more important than the wonderful, exotic life he lives and enjoys.
Is hiding under the bed sheets in your bedroom more important than the Frontline worker out there risking all to save people’s lives? If we all hide under the sheets, where will the world be? Where lies our future? The virus must not stop our ambitions, our dreams, our future. That is the right way to think at this time. We must think like true heroes do.
But as always, we go game by game, match by match and day by day……….cheers
Maria SI, I think your comments about Rafa are grossly unfair, untrue and impulsive. However, it is your opinion and you are entitled to it. We are living through unusual and unprecendented times and Rafa has carefully weighed up the situation in arriving at his decision not to play at the US Open. As well as the risks and uncertainty around covid-19, he has looked at his age, the practicalities of playing at the US Open and then travelling to Europe for the FO in a relatively short space of time. He has done what’s best for his physical health to give himself the greatest chance of performing at the highest level possible.
I agree with Rafa in his view that tennis is secondary. He is genuinely concerned about the effect that the virus has had on his country and the world at large. In the big scheme of things tennis can be resumed, but the life of the dead can’t. Rafa not putting tennis as his main priority at the moment, doesn’t mean he’s not committed to the sport, he’s just putting things into perspective. Over the years, no one has given more in effort and determination on the court, so he deserves all the spoils which have come his way. Bravo Rafa!
Maria, if you have watched Rafa’s interviews there is no way you could have missed the many times he expressed his thanks to tennis which has afforded him a very good life. “I am thankful to tennis for the life I live.”
And you make it sound as if Rafa is the only one worried about this highly contagious coronavirus. MILLIONS are worried. You should be too.
I doubt very much Roger would risk infecting his family had he not been sidelined by knee surgery. Even before the pandemic he was busy helping to raise his family, vacationing, tending to his charities and his businesses. I’m surprised he had time for tennis, quite frankly.
Your 11th paragraph would be a great recruitment mechanism for the US Republican Party.
This is an unduly harsh and unwarranted verbal attack on Rafa. Each person has their own discomfort level with threatening situations and all are valid and to be respected. There were also several other factors which entered into his decision.
Had he not been blessed with such extraordinary talent he would undoubtedly have found another satisfying career and would have enjoyed his life in Mallorca regardless. The fact that his family comes above all else is admirable in my books. Who on their deathbed laments that they didn’t work more? Most would regret not spending more time with loved ones.
Rafa has his priorities straight. He has expressed his gratitude to tennis numerous times. In the end good health and the contentment that comes from knowing you did what’s right for you wins over everything else.
BS perspective has zero grain of reality……Precious GOAT Rafa always carrys an expression of gratitude to doing work he loves and that brings such fortunate privileged life.
Margo and Pauline I agree with your sentiments. I just read an article about Djokovic’s resignation from the ATP Player Council and it’s come as a surprise to me that he and Pospisil would want to break away at such a delicate time to form the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).
Apparently Milos Raonic is on board with joining, but Andy Murray isn’t partly because the women aren’t involved and Dan Evans is suspicious about it’s motives.
Being just a mere fan, I’m not privy to all the internal politics, I don’t blame Rafa and Roger for sticking with the existing council to try and steady the ship, as such dvisions amongst players doesn’t bode well for the future of professional tennis.
Pauline, I was so glad you responded that I didn’t even notice “pess.” I read the URL so quickly and my brain read it as press.
A GIGANTIC THANK YOU.
What a mess. Can it get sneakier???
I think Rafa and Roger are doing the right thing in their attempt to get players to work together but I’m only a fan. Have no idea what is REALLY going on except Djokovic’s sneakiness.
I am gobsmacked.
It’s a pleasure to relay any information I come across Margo. This rift really is intriguing. Andy Murray so far isn’t on board with the breakaway bunch. Can’t imagine how two separate groups of players will manage to coexist. Sounds as if it will weaken their bargaining power. It will be interesting to see how many sign up at tonight’s meeting.
It looks as if they want to unionize, Pauline. Whatever they are calling it I think it’s bad timing.
I’ll tell you this, the tournaments are not going to take this with a smile. They may try to stick it to the rebellious players.
Earlier today I received an email from the ATP but it was very cryptic, i.e., no details about what they were referring to, just something about working together. Had I not read earlier about Djokovic’s rebellion I wouldn’t have understood the email.
Re “weakening their bargaining power” is how I see it too.
Stay tuned.
Margo, I’m keeping my fingers tighly crossed in the hope that the FO will happen.
Meanwhile, i’m wishing Milos Raonic the best of luck in the W&S final today.
Unfortunately, Lorna, there is no chance in hell for Raonic to win. Tsitsipas would have fared better against Djokovic, but certainly not Raonic.
Djokovic would simply melt him and his aces away and the match will be over before you know it.
But as always, we go game by game, match by match and day by day……….. cheers.
Lorna [or anyone else],
Did you see anything about a new players’ group to be formed by Djokovic and Pospisil? I saw a tweet on Twitter and a short article on Yahoo but no mention of Rafa or Roger.
D and P are waiting to see what other players will commit to joining a new group which will be separate and apart from the ATP. Maybe it will be like a union since there is no ATP Union.
Seems Pospisil is unhappy that top executives didn’t take a pay cut in order to help financially strapped players, among other grievances.
Not so strange since my comment about Djokovic wanting/hoping for a change to best out of three matches for Slams.
Margo,
Check opencourt.ca/wordpess for all the latest info.
Correction: Should read opencourt.ca/wordpress
Lorna, I thought Tsitsipas would take care of Djokovic as Maria suggested. I was hoping.
As far as the FO is concerned, I too want Rafa to play but the reports coming out from Paris are not good and time is not on the human side. Still hoping though. 🤞
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Kudos to Naomi Osaka. Not shy to speak out and take a stand against racial injustice. Love tennis, but some things matter more.
Sad she had to retire because of hamstring pain. I hope she recovers for the USOPEN.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
The French government declared Paris and Marseille high-risk zones for the virus. I am preparing myself just in case the FO won’t be held.
Selfless Naomi Osaka.
“On Wednesday night tennis star Naomi Osaka announced she would not play in the semifinals of the WTA Western & Southern Open on Thursday, in protest of the “continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police.” The organizers of the ATP tournament then announced they were pausing the tournament until Friday.”
[NYTimes, CNN, Today]
I think Rafa will be back on the red dirt with fresh motivation. My only concern is that he will play without the buzz of spectators which have energised and lifted him so much over the years. I hope he reacts well to a flat atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Andy and Serena both lost their round 16 matches at the Western and Southern tournament. For me, this raises a red flag in terms of their fitness over consecutive or long matches.
About Rafa’s return:
“During all these months I have thought very little about tennis,” Nadal said. “I think there have been much more important things and enough misfortunes to think about something that I think is still secondary. I reserve my verdict right now, because I am waiting for how things evolve,” Nadal added.
“When the time comes, I will make a decision and I will do it after talking with my family and my team, together we will make the decision that we think is best for us more.”
The uncertainty of Rafa’s return is driving me nutzzz but doesn’t have to be this way. Reputable scientists have given clear guidelines about how to greatly diminish spreading the coronavirus and get it under control. People aren’t listening.
Andy has returned and he’s winning… so good for him. Waiting for Rafa and Roger to get back once they feel it is safe to do so.
Some thoughts in response to Margo’s post. I too would like to see Rafa excited to get back to tennis assuming Rome and /or Paris can assure Rafa that conditions are safe for everyone. But Spain was hit really hard by covid-19 and Rafa is obviously emotionally impacted by the tradegy and sadness of it all.
At this point, given Rafa’s statements over the last few months, I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Rafa decides to retire from the tour. The tour might not ever be exactly the same as it was. It will probably take years to handle the virus and it might not ever be 100% wiped out.
But there is so much waiting for Rafa to show the world- begining with two French Opens in the next 10 months. I think he really wants to win the AO again as well as Wimbledon. Then there’s the Olympics and the Davis Cup. Not to mention a shot at his fifth US Open title.
Here’s hoping Rafa and his family will decide that he should continue his career and he will then be at peace with doing what he loves to do.
David, the French Open is still a month away so hopefully there will be positive news about the country’s ability to control the virus.
Italy is going through another surge and Rafa could decide to skip Rome and go directly to Paris if he decides to play.
Rafa is undoubtedly worried about his country but a very personal worry may be the reports about ex king Juan Carlos with whom he has a relationship. If the reports are true I can’t imagine what he is going through.
I hope he keeps himself distracted to help him through this very difficult period.
There’s an interesting excerpt from the September issue of GQ magazine in today’s Majorca Daily Bulletin. Rafa explains some of his opinions on Spain’s handling of the shut down and his indecision regarding whether he will resume play this year.
I guess the question should be which test is the USTA using to test everyone who is physically involved at the S&W tournament and USOPEN.
Pella stated that he, Dellien, and Galvan [his fitness trainer] all tested negative on Sunday. All were tested five times and each test was negative. It appears Galvan may never have had the virus. Pella was given the ok to start training for the USOPEN.
Everyone knows the instant-result test is not reliable. I thought they were getting the PCR test.
I also wondered how Galvan got to NY from Florida while infected. The simple fact he arrived from Florida should have raised a red flag.
So glad Rafa is home safe. I hope the authorities in Rome are not as dipsy as the ones we have here in NY. Geeezzzzz!
My thought is that Djokovic may not be feeling too well.
In the following NY Times article he contradicted himself, he may consider discussing best of three Slams, and if he had to do it over again, he would still hold the Adria Tour.
The article covers a lot of what fans discussed here. I am ready to quarantine him in Serbia.
———————————————————-
August 20, 2020 NYTIMES
Negotiations and trans-Atlantic flight complete, Novak Djokovic was seated on the sofa of one of his hard-won concessions this week: a spacious rented home near New York City, nestled amid the trees and far from the commotion.
Djokovic had just put on a shirt after sunbathing on the terrace.
“With the trees and serenity, being in this kind of environment is a blessing,” Djokovic said on a Zoom call. “And I’m grateful, because I’ve seen the hotel where the majority of players are staying. I don’t want to sound arrogant or anything like that, and I know the U.S.T.A. did their best in order to provide accommodation and organize everything and organize these bubbles so the players can actually compete and come here, but it’s tough for most of the players, not being able to open their window and being in a hotel in a small room.”
It has been a bumpy and tortuous road to staging the United States Open amid the coronavirus pandemic. Djokovic’s demands and complaints — public and private — did not make it any smoother for the United States Tennis Association to facilitate the tournament. But unlike many other leading international players, including Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, Djokovic is actually here after this long and unexpected break from the tennis tour.
He is still ranked No. 1 and remains a perfect 18-0 in 2020, just as he was when the pandemic-related hiatus began in March. But he was hardly a big winner during the forced off-season. He generated concern and controversy by questioning vaccination and claiming that water could be affected by human emotions. And he dented his credibility and brand by organizing the Adria Tour, a charity exhibition series in Serbia and Croatia in June that seriously lacked in social distancing and decorum, leading to a cluster of coronavirus cases. It was canceled before the finish with several leading players and some support staff testing positive.
Djokovic and his wife Jelena were among them, and they isolated for two weeks with their two young children in their native city of Belgrade, Serbia.
“We tried to do something with the right intentions,” Djokovic said of the tour. “Yes, there were some steps that could have been done differently, of course, but am I going to be then forever blamed for doing a mistake? I mean, OK, if this is the way, fine, I’ll accept it, because that’s the only thing I can do. Whether it’s fair or not, you tell me, but I know that the intentions were right and correct, and if I had the chance to do the Adria Tour again, I would do it again.”
Djokovic was full of mixed emotions in this week’s interview, ranging from apologetic to defiant, and said he had used the long break to deepen his connections with his family and his understanding of issues like ecology and health.
“I think this is a huge transformational phase for all of us on this planet, and I think maybe even the last wake-up call,” he said.
Djokovic said his coronavirus symptoms were mild, lasting four to five days. He said he had no fever but did have fatigue and some loss of smell and taste and sensed some loss of stamina when he initially returned to practice.
But with concern mounting about the long-term health effects of the virus, Djokovic, who favors a plant-based diet and natural healing when possible, said he was closely monitoring himself and looking into long-term effects.
“I’ve done a CT scan of my chest, and OK, everything is clear. I’ve done several tests since my negative test for the coronavirus as well before coming to New York,” he said. “I’ve done my blood tests, my urine tests, my stool tests, everything that I possibly can. I’m obviously doing that prevention anyway but of course now more than ever because we don’t really know what we’re dealing with.”
Djokovic, traveling without his family, arrived in New York on Saturday, to “get acclimated” to the unusual restrictions for the tournament and “just to be able to be OK once it’s go time.”
He will first play in the Western & Southern Open, a combined men’s and women’s event that has been moved from its usual location outside Cincinnati to the U.S. Open site to create a two-tournament bubble. He will compete in singles and doubles, teaming up with his Serbian compatriot Filip Krajinovic, with his first match either Sunday or Monday.
Both tournaments will be played without spectators at the U.S.T.A. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, with players and their support staff required to be tested regularly and banned from traveling beyond their lodging and the tournament site without express permission from U.S. Open leadership.
“I was very close to not coming,” said Djokovic, who said he decided to go to New York less than a week before he arrived and only after players were given guarantees by European governments that they would not be expected to quarantine when they traveled to Europe after the U.S. Open.
“There were a lot of uncertainties,” he said. “And there still are, yeah, a lot of things that are not really clear.”
He continued: “I want to play. I mean that’s why I’m here. I am personally not afraid of being in a risky, dangerous health situation for myself. If I felt that way, I most likely would not be here. I am cautious of course, and I have to be responsible and of course respect the regulations and rules and restrictions as anybody else. But things are unpredictable. Anything can happen in the tennis court or off the tennis court.”
Djokovic said his own experience with the coronavirus had not altered his views on vaccines. He has said that he would have a difficult decision to make if receiving a coronavirus vaccine became mandatory to compete on the tennis circuit.
“I see that the international media has taken that out of context a little bit, saying that I am completely against vaccines of any kind,” he said. “My issue here with vaccines is if someone is forcing me to put something in my body. That I don’t want. For me that’s unacceptable. I am not against vaccination of any kind, because who am I to speak about vaccines when there are people that have been in the field of medicine and saving lives around the world? I’m sure that there are vaccines that have little side effects that have helped people and helped stop the spread of some infections around the world.”
But Djokovic did express concern about potential issues with a coronavirus vaccine.
“How are we expecting that to solve our problem when this coronavirus is mutating regularly from what I understand?” he said.
Djokovic said the U.S.T.A.’s leadership was initially reluctant to allow players to stay in rented homes during the U.S. Open. They relented but imposed strict conditions. Djokovic must pay not only the rent but also for round-the-clock security approved and monitored by the U.S.T.A, in part to help enforce the same protocols other players are following.
This is not simply the honor system.
“It’s super important I made this investment because it’s going to make me feel better,” Djokovic said. “I’m going to recover better and can actually have some outdoor time when I’m not on site.”
He has come with the maximum three team members, another concession he worked to secure from the U.S.T.A., which originally planned to restrict players to just one team member. One of Djokovic’s housemates is Goran Ivanisevic, the former Wimbledon champion who is one of his coaches and also contracted the coronavirus during the Adria Tour, along with other players and coaches.
To those watching from afar, that outcome seemed logical in light of the lack of safety measures. Fans were allowed in stadiums. Masks were recommended but not required. Players hugged, high-fived and even danced the limbo in close quarters in a Belgrade nightclub.
“I agree things could have been done differently with the nightclub,” Djokovic said. “The sponsors organized. They invited players. We felt comfortable. We had a successful event. Everybody was really happy and joyful.”
Djokovic said the tour, conceived with the idea of helping lower-ranked pro players in the former Yugoslavia during the hiatus, was organized in cooperation with national governments and tennis federations. At the time, coronavirus numbers were low in Serbia and Croatia with few societal restrictions.”
“We’ve done everything they asked us to do, and we followed the rules from the Day 1,” Djokovic said.
But Djokovic said he soon grasped that the view from abroad was very different.
“When someone from Australia or America looks at what was happening in Serbia, they’re like, ‘Oh my God, I mean are you crazy? What are these people doing?’” Djokovic said. “So I really understand.”
There was also criticism in Croatia of the tour and the Croatian tennis federation’s role in managing the event. But Djokovic, who also made sizable donations with his wife to coronavirus relief efforts in Serbia and Italy, maintains the tour was still worth organizing for the funds it generated for the region.
“I don’t think I’ve done anything bad to be honest,” he said. “I do feel sorry for people that were infected. Do I feel guilty for anybody that was infected from that point onward in Serbia, Croatia and the region? Of course not. It’s like a witch hunt, to be honest. How can you blame one individual for everything?”
Djokovic is 33, but this will be the first of the 61 Grand Slam tournaments he has played in his long and triumphant career in which his biggest rivals — Nadal and Federer — will both be absent.
Nadal, 34, the reigning U.S. Open men’s champion, chose to prioritize the clay-court season that will closely follow the U.S. Open on the reconfigured tennis calendar. Federer, 39, does not plan to play again in 2020 after two knee surgeries this year.
In New York, the rightly named Big Three will be reduced to one.
“It is strange, because these two guys are the legends of our sport and with or without crowds, they are going to be missed a lot,” Djokovic said.
But he insisted that their absence and the absence of eight other players in the men’s top 100, including the 2016 U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka, did not diminish the significance of this tournament in his opinion because “a super majority” of top players will be there.
Federer holds the men’s record with 20 Grand Slam singles titles. Nadal has 19. Djokovic has 17, and he said the quest for 18 was “of course” a significant factor in his decision to cross the Atlantic.
“One of the reasons why I keep on playing professional tennis on this level is because I want to reach more heights in the tennis world,” he said.
He said Federer’s Grand Slam record and men’s record of 310 weeks at No. 1 remained among his primary targets. Djokovic is at 282 weeks and he could surpass Federer by March.
Djokovic said he feels ready after the longest break of his career, but he doesn’t know for certain. And he would have welcomed discussion about playing best-of-three sets at the U.S. Open instead of the usual best-of-five.
“Maybe in the future we should have that conversation. Because these kind of circumstances are very unusual,” he said.
His presence, however difficult to secure, is a major boost for both tournaments in New York. He has won three U.S. Opens and five of the last seven Grand Slam singles titles. The absence of the entire Big Three would have sent the asterisk debate into overdrive.
“I cannot say it’s the main reason why I’m here, but it’s one of the reasons,” he said. “First of all, I have to think about myself and my health and my fitness and whether my team is OK to be here. Once that was checked, then I of course also felt responsible as a top player to be here. It’s important for our sport to keep going.”
Words are somewhat superficial …..from past conduct, difficult to trust n.’s or princess, ‘s interview replies…..
For all players who are under the weather sending speedy recovery…..
First of all, thanks Margo for taking the time to relay to us the NY Times article on Djokovic and I agree that he contradicts himself on certain points.
He wants to portray himself as a selfless person, interested in the wefare and wellbeing of others, but his article shows the exact opposite when it comes to getting what he wants.
In terms of the Adria Tour, I don’t doubt the love Djokovic has for his people, especially in view of the struggles he’s witnessed and experienced in Serbia years gone by, but most would agree that, to allow the tour to go ahead in the middle of a pandemic was foolish, inconsiderate and short sighted. He’s quick to shift a lot of the blame to the sponsors and other organisers. Not taking responsibility for the problem, saying he’s done nothing wrong, they had a “successful event” and that he’d do it over again is arrogant.
Djokovic’s main mission in life is to surpass Federer’s grand slam total to be hailed as the GOAT and he will do anything in his power to reach that goal. “I was very close to not coming (to NY)”. He has engineered things to maximize his chances of claiming the last two majors of the year and USTA has bowed to his demands in fear of his empty threat to withdraw from the US Open. Being allowed to have a spacious rented apartment, whilst other players have to make do with a small, stuffy hotel room, having the quarantine rules lifted and increasing the number of people allowed to travel with players are all things which best suit Djokovic.
“I am not afraid of being in a risky, dangerous health situation for myself. If I felt that way I would most likely not be here”. Come on. Is that bravery or stupidity? More the latter and that’s why he threw caution to the wind in allowing the Adria Tour to go ahead.
The fact that Rafa and Roger won’t be at the US Open is obviously a huge boost to him. ” Then I of course also felt responsible as a top player to be here. It’s important for our sport to keep going”. Is he intimating that top players such as Rafa, who withdrew due to the pandemic aren’t responsible? Is the sport going to come to a halt if Djokovic isn’t there? That’s just all insincere talk as far as I’m concerned. There are no spectators anyway and tennis fans will turn on their tv to watch the Open with or without you!
Watch out Djoker. There are the “super majority” just itching to get their hands on that US Open trophy and, hopefully, one of them will.
Apropos to Margo’s statement below…. the person who tested positive was Argentina’s Guido Pella and Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien’s fitness trainer… He tested positive for COVID-19 and now these two players have been dropped from the Western and Southern Open tournament that will precede the U.S. Open at its Flushing Meadow site..
Obviously the 2 players are at risk as they have been in close contact with their trainer both in Miami and NY and they are presently quarantined.
I have read the protocols the USTA has put in place for this event and and they seem to be taking every precaution possible for the health and welfare of their players and staff. They are only allowing players into the locker room for 15 minutes prior/after their match (with no coach or trainer allowed in with them)..This year, the players are not allowed to watch the ongoing tennis matches together in the locker room as they have so enjoyed in the past. The USTA is using the outdoor grounds to set up for players massages and physio training.all while socially distancing from one player to the next. They have assigned 40 monitors at the Open to make sure masks and social distancing are being adhered to. Their hotel rules are rather strict as well, assigning monitors there too, making sure the players do not mingle with staff or each other very closely…. They will be asked to return to their rooms if they “break a rule” ….
The suites in Arthur Ashe Stadium will be assigned to specific players and their staff…
It’s serious stuff at a very serious time….
Stay well everyone….
Positive COVID-19 at the US Open 2020
Making tough times even tougher, the USTA released a statement on social media regarding one positive COVID-19 case.
“An individual [asymptomatic non-player] has tested positive for COVID-19 within the Western and Southern Open and US Open controlled environment,” the tweet read.
The USTA along with medical advisors and specialists from the Mount Sinai Health System confirmed the news. To mitigate the spread of the virus, the asymptomatic individual has been advised to undergo at least 10 days of isolation in accordance with the New York State Department of Health. Furthermore, research has been set up to track individuals who were in contact with him in the past few days.
After testing positive for Covid-19, Kei Nishikori, who is based in Florida, has withdrawn from Cincy. He will give an update on his plans for the USOPEN.
IF OUR PRECIOUS RAFA CAN PLAY US OPEN 2020 , THAT WILL BE GREAT…..IF HE DOESN’T, THEN I TRUST DANI MEDVEDEV’S 2019 MATCH WITH RAFA PUTS HIM AT MUCH GREATER CHANCES OF WINNIG US OPEN 2020 THAN n. OR ANYBODY ELSE.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR GOAT CHAMP RAFA NADAL IS BRILLIANT ON ALL SURFACES….. HIS NEXT FEW YEARS ARE WIDE OPEN WITH BLESSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOTS OF FUN !!!!!!!!!:) CI….CI….CI…AND WI…….WI……WI…….VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!:) WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!:) XOXOXO GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Dear Fan Live,
Do not be your trust in Dani Medvedev as his form has drastically dropped post USO 2019. Personally, I’d be surprised if he reaches the quarters.
As it is, the only set of players that can stop n (as you famously refer tolto Novak) are the trio of Them, Alex Zverev and Stefano’s.
For me, the person with the best prospect is Nick Kyrgios. He’s already 2- 0 in H:H advantage over n. But so very unfortunately, NK is not also playing at this year”s USO
But, as alw.ays Fan Love, we go game by game, match by match and day by day…..cheers
Yes you are right …..ultimately day by day…..match by match….is the best way of anticipating ….though of course there are always amazing surprises….
Best wishes and good health globally….along a steadfast recovery to all players !:)
WE LOVE YOU RAFA NADAL!!!!!:) XOXOXO ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND AND A WONDERFUL WEEK!:)
SEEMS A WHOLE LOT OF OVERBOARD CHAT ABOUT n. ….HE IS A RATHER FLAT PLAYER …..NOTICED DURING GS, HIS EYES LOOK WAY TOO WIDE OPEN WITH AN ODD CONSTANT STARE………SEEMS THE STARE, AND ODD EYES EXPRESSION ARE HAPPENING DURING GS…..I ACTUALLY I LIKE n MUCH BETTER THAN PRINCESS r. …….. BUT NEITHER ONE OF THEM HAVE 1/5 OF ATTRIBUTES MENTIONED HERE WITH RESPECT TO MAKING A LASTING HISTORICAL HEROIC IMPACT. RAFA NADAL STANDS ALONG WITH HIS BRILLIANT TENNIS, BRILLIANT EFFORTS, HIS BRILLIANT SPORTSMANSHIP, BLESSED BRILLIANT TENNIS CAREER, THE GLOBAL RECOGNITION HE SUCCESSFULLY EARNED, AND THE LOVE AND RESPECT HE IS ADORED WITH BY BY MILLIONS OF INTERNATIONAL FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!!!!! THAT’S WHAT MAKES HIME A VERY SPECIAL SPORT HERO AND THE ULTIMATE GOAT NOW, AND IN GENERATIONS TO COME.
Rome is now scheduled for a week earlier, starting on September 14th with the final to be played on Monday 21st. This is what I was hoping for, it was too close to RG otherwise.
The new Rome schedule, per Jas, is good news for Rafa in the event he decides to go to Rome.
On the other hand it makes it tough on any players who make it to the second week of the US Open, probably including Nole and Thiem, because Rome would be the fourth week in a row of tournament tennis for them.
This also shows the wisdom of Rafa’s wait and see attitude as you can’t count on anything in 2020.
Maria [snake island] – no link after your comment.
The Latin proverb “Fortune favors the bold” is the original.
One iteration of the above is “ Fortune favors the brave.” Well…it didn’t work out well for Pliny the Elder. If you knew that you probably wouldn’t have used it, being a Rafa fan.
Djokovic plans to play Cincy singles and doubles, Rome, and the FO. How well has he recovered from the virus, even though he said he was asymptomatic? Will he show us X-Rays of his lungs? I am waiting to see how he does before the FO.
And NO, he won’t be serving Rafa any bagels.