Canberra, Australia — The top-ranked singles player in women’s tennis, Ashleigh Barty announced that they will not play in either the Western & Southern Open or the US Open, citing Covid-19 concerns.
Barty, who won the French Open last year for her first major title said in a statement that “My team and I have decided that we won’t be travelling to the US for the Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year.”
“I love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to Covid 19 and I don’t feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position. I wish the USTA all the best for the tournaments and look forward to being back in the US next year.
“I will make my decision on the French Open and the surrounding WTA European tournaments in the coming weeks.”
Currently the US Open main draw is scheduled to begin on August 31.
The Western & Southern Open, normally held in Mason, Ohio, a Cincinnati suburb has changed its venue and is now set to be held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York this year.
The main draw play of the Western & Southern Open is scheduled to begin on August 22.
Five players from the top 10 in the WTA singles ranking will not be participating in the Western & Southern Open field. They are Barty, No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 6 Bianca Andreescu and No. 10 Naomi Osaka.
