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World No. 30 says two things out of tennis' control are key to resuming 2020 season.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova says resuming the 2020 season depends on two issues out of tennis' control.

The 30th-ranked Russian says because tennis is an international sport, easing national travel bans and reducing the prospect of player quarantines upon entering foreign controls are essential if the sport is to resume in this current COVID-19 climate.

More: Right Knee Surgery Ends Federer's 2020 Season

"For the moment, we don't know if there will be tennis in 2020, it's very uncertain," Pavlyuchenkova told L'Equipe. "We make a lot of phone calls to inquire about the evolution of the situation. It is very thorny and strange for everyone.

"First, we have to see if all travel bans are lifted. Everyone should be able to travel from any country. Then you don't have to be around fourteen when you get somewhere. These are the two main questions.

"The problem with tennis is that it is an international sport. Players come from all over the world. It's possible that it will replay. We are trying to resume the season in August, but there are things we do not control."

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

The USTA closed its White Plains office and cut jobs in a cost-cutting move. Coronavirus, and the economic fallout that has come as a result, continues to affect the lives of hard-working tennis people.

The USTA made drastic cuts on Monday, eliminating 110 jobs and closing its White Plains, New York office.

Player Development, Facilities, and USTA-U have been merged into community relations.

According to ESPN’s Peter Bodo some employees who were 50 years or older and who had put in 15 years or more for the USTA were offered 40 weeks of severance pay if they elected to choose a “voluntary departure.”

The 110 jobs amount to approximately 20 percent of the workforce.

According to Bodo, the USTA's redevelopment plan has been in the works since 2018, but was sped up after the pandemic hit.

The organization's commitment to a $20 million relief package to help grassroots and tennis facility operators, along with anticipated losses from a COVID-compromised US Open, fueled the urgency of the shake-up.

"We have an opportunity to reimagine the structure of the organization to better serve the tennis community in the United States," Michael Dowse, USTA chief executive officer and executive director, said in a statement. "This new structure allows the USTA to be more agile and more cost effective."

British No. 1 says world's top two have a reponsibility to play the Slams.
Days after both world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and second-ranked Rafael Nadal voiced safety concerns about playing the 2020 US Open while the coronavirus persists, Dan Evans provided a different perspective.

The British No. 1 suggests the world's top two have a responsibility to play the Slams.

More: Djokovic Taken Aback By US Open Extreme Measures

Evans told BBC 5 Live Breakfast Grand Slam prize money fuels lower-ranked players so the stars should play the Slams in a show of support.

"It's great what the ATP did with the Relief Fund but there's nothing better than the prize money of the Grand Slams for the players to be receiving," Evans told BBC 5 Live. "This is the point where I think the players should really come together and Novak and Rafa should really be looking to help those players with lower ranks so they get a good pay day.

"It's obviously not all about money, it's health involved here, but if it's safe enough I don't think having just a coach is a good enough reason not to be going to a tournament."

The USTA is proposing moving the Western & Southern Open from Cincinnati to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens and play it as a prelude to the US Open, scheduled to start on August 31st.

The USTA said it expects to make a decision on the US Open by the middle of this month. If the Open is played it will likely be without fans with players traveling to New York City, which has been the national epicenter for the virus, on private planes accompanied by just one coach or team member.

Last week, Nadal told the media in the current COVID-19 climate he would not be comfortable traveling to New York to defend his US Open crown.

"It is not ideal. Right now I would not like to go play a tennis tournament in New York," Nadal said. "But I do not know in two months because we do not know if the situation is going to improve. I am sure that the people who organize the tournament want that the event is safe and that the French Tennis Federation wants the same thing.

"They want to play if everyone is going to be safe. I trust that they will make the right decisions at the right time. If there is not total security, there is no sense in playing because we have to be responsible and lead by example."

Eight-time Australian Open champion Djokovic called US Open proposals "extreme" and "really impossible."

“I had a telephone conversation with the leaders of world tennis, there were talks about the continuation of the season, mostly about the US Open due in late August, but it is not known whether it will be held," Djokovic told Prva TV. "The rules that they told us that we would have to respect to be there, to play at all, they are extreme.”

In contrast, Evans says safety measures under consideration are not a big deal. Evans called Djokovic's objections "not valid" for the majority of players and points out players must give a little to gain the benefits of resuming Grand Slam play.

"There has to be a bit of give and take from the players," Evans told BBC 5 Live Breakfast: "I don't think having one person of your team only allowed is such a big deal. The majority of the draw would only travel with one coach.

"Not everyone's travelling with physios and fitness trainers like Novak said, so I think his argument there is not really valid for the rest of the draw, apart from the real top guys."

Photo credit: Citi Open Facebook

Boris Becker says constructive criticism helped Novak Djokovic's resurgence.
The truth hurts—and helped Novak Djokovic regain his edge.

Former world No. 1 Boris Becker, Djokovic's former coach, says blunt constructive criticism sparked the Serbian during their three-year partnership.

More: Djokovic's Tour Sells Out in 7 Minutes

In an interview with Marca, Becker said he sat down with Djokovic for a 48-hour deep discussion on tennis before signing on as coach.

The Hall of Famer revealed he delivered two criticisms directly to Djokovic: complacency and a unimposing serve were preventing him from fulfilling his potential.

"I went to see him in Monte Carlo and for 48 hours we only talked about tennis," Becker said. "I told him that I was always going to be very honest with him if things were not going to work: The reason why you can't be better is because you got comfortable being number one and you didn't improve. Both Nadal and Federer have. I don't like your position on the track and I don't like your service either."

Djokovic began working with Becker in December, 2013. The Belgrade-born baseliner won six Grand Slam titles during the pair's three-year partnership.

These days Becker spends time overseeing the German Davis Cup squad and providing commentary for Eurosport and says he'd be open to returning to coach under the right circumstances.

"I do not rule out that option, but right now I could not because I am responsible for the German Davis Cup team," Becker told Marca. "But nothing is eternal. If there are players that interest me, that allow me to train and want to be open with me, then that is something I could definitely consider.

"The problem with training is that it takes up a lot of time. When I collaborated with Novak Djokovic, I spent 25 to 30 weeks with him. That includes the preseason and smaller tournaments. I have a family and I have other professional projects to worry about right now. But I don't want to rule out the option to train because tennis is my great love."

World No. 1 on concerns about playing New York.
Ashleigh Barty is pumped about the prospect of tournament tennis returning, but the reigning Roland Garros champion is wary about playing the US Open.

The US Open main draw is scheduled to start on August 31st. New York City has been the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in the United States.

More: Coco Gauff Continues to Inspire with Moving Speech

The USTA is proposing moving the Western & Southern Open from its Cincinnati home to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York and playing the tournament right before the US Open. Both the Western & Southern Open and US Open would likely be played without fans in an effort to provide a healthy safe zone for players and staff.

The world No. 1 told the Sydney Morning Herald she'll need to understand all of the safety information from the USTA and WTA before deciding whether to play in the U.S. 

"It's exciting that tennis is being talked about again and things are moving in the right direction for us to start competing but I'd need to understand all of the information and advice from the WTA and the USTA before making a decision on the US events," Barty told the Herald.

The New York Times reports international athletes traveling to the United States could have their 14-day quarantine waived, however it's uncertain if that quarantine waver would apply to coaches, physios and members of players' teams.

 "It's not just me, it's my team I have to consider," Barty said.

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

The 16-year-old spoke from the heart. She is becoming a source of inspiration for young people everywhere. A week after promising to use her growing platform for good, Coco Gauff has stepped up her game in the fight for social justice. The 16-year-old gave a speech to peaceful protesters in her hometown of Delray Beach, Florida, telling them that they need to make sure they have their voices heard, no matter how big or small their platforms are.

My speech at the peaceful protest in my hometown of Delray Beach, Florida. #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/Jeyswzt7n5

— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) June 4, 2020

“I’m here to tell you guys that we must first love each other no matter what,” Gauff said. “We must have the tough conversations with our friends. I’ve been spending all week having tough conversations, trying to educate my non-black friends on how they can help the movement. Second, we need to take action.”

The current World No.52 is calling for action and playing a pivotal role at mobilizing her peers, both inside the sport and out.

“You need to use your voice, no matter how big or small your platform is, you need to use your voice,” Gauff said. “I saw a Dr. [Martin Luther]King quote that said, ‘The silence of the good people is worse than the brutality of the bad people.’ So, you need to not be silent. If you are choosing silence, you’re choosing the side of the oppressor.”

Gauff has received praise from her WTA elders, including Kim Clijsters and Chris Evert.

“Thank you for being a girl that my daughter will learn from and look up to,” Clijsters tweeted. “I promise that we will keep on teaching our kids the right thing to do so that they can pass it on too. It all starts at home!”

Evert called Gauff “A role model, leader, visionary in the making,” on Twitter.

"I believe we have a future leader, role model, and activist in Coco Gauff," she posted. "At the young age of 16, she is showing up in the fight against racial prejudice. She could champion human rights and still be a champion in tennis. I believe she can be an inspiration and do it all."

"If you ask me today if I want to travel to play a tennis tournament, I will say no," says Rafa Nadal.
Rafael Nadal says in the current coronavirus climate, he would not travel to New York to defend his US Open title.

The 19-time Grand Slam champion said if the US Open were played this week, he would not be comfortable playing. However the second-ranked Spaniard says he trusts the USTA will "make the right decision" on the 2020 US Open.

More: 34 Stats to Celebrate Nadal's 34th Birthday

The ATP and WTA jointly announced an extension of the pro circuit through the start of August.

The USTA is proposing moving the Western & Southern Open, traditionally staged in Cincinnati in August, to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows as a prelude to the US Open. Both tournaments would be played in succession likely without fans in an effort to minimize travel and exposure to the virus for players and staff.

The Tours are considering the proposal now, according to The New York Times. 

In a Zoom interview with the media, Nadal said he would not play in the current COVID-19 climate.

"It is not ideal. Right now I would not like to go play a tennis tournament in New York," Nadal said. "But I do not know in two months because we do not know if the situation is going to improve. I am sure that the people who organize the tournament want that the event is safe and that the French Tennis Federation wants the same thing.

"They want to play if everyone is going to be safe. I trust that they will make the right decisions at the right time. If there is not total security, there is no sense in playing because we have to be responsible and lead by example.

"It's not an ideal situation—if you ask me today if I want to travel to play a tennis tournament, I will say no. I am confident they will make the right decisions in the right moment to be sure that if (the US Open) is played it is going to be under extremely safe circumstances—if not, in my opinion, it doesn't make sense."

The reigning Roland Garros and US Open champion said the international travel required for players and staff casts a cloud of concern over tournament tennis.

"We have a worldwide sport and my feeling is that we need to be clear and responsible," Nadal told the media. "It's not the same as football which can be played in one country. When you mix people from every single part of the world the complications are completely different.

"We need to understand that we are suffering an unprecedented situation and my feeling is we need to come back when all the players of all the world are able to travel under safe circumstances."

Still, Nadal, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Wednesday with birthday cake at the Rafa Nadal Academy in his native Mallorca, is confident tennis will eventually return safely.

"If not, in my personal opinion, will we come back? Yes, and I probably will play, yes, but my feeling will be that we are not being 100 per cent fair and correct," Nadal said.

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

"The tough part is that it comes from people that should be protecting us," says the 19-year-old Canadian.Felix Auger-Aliassime has joined Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Frances Tiafoe and others in speaking out against prejudice and racism in the world in the aftermath of George Floyd's tragic death and the protests that have taken America by storm.

The 19-year-old posted a five and a half minute message on Instagram in which he told a story of how his father was racially profiled for driving a Mercedes in a nice neighborhood.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I truly hope recent events will lead us steps closer to equal treatment around the world 🙏🏽 . Je m’excuse d’avance que ce message soit seulement en anglais mais c’est dans le but de toucher un plus grand nombre de personnes. Bon dimanche à tous 😌

A post shared by Félix Auger-Aliassime (@felixaliassime) on

May 31, 2020 at 4:30am PDT

Auger-Aliassime says that the world has made progress, but there is still so much more that needs to be done.

“We’ve come a long way but there’s still a long way to go in terms of equality,” he said in his video post. “The fact that saddens me is that it comes from a place, and people that should lead by example. … Police officers, such as teachers and professors and doctors, should lead by example and not have pre-made ideas and stereotypes. … This I think is really the tough part is that it comes from people that should be protecting us.”

Roland Garros is set to start September 20th, the French government will decide if fans can attend.
Roland Garros is scheduled to start on September 20th.

A higher power will determine if fans can attend the French Open.

Nadal: If Roland Garros is Safe, I'll Be There

The clay-court major made the unilateral decision to move from its traditional May start time to September 20th as the coronavirus crisis has shut down the sport until at least the start of August.

Roland Garros aims to play with as many fans as possible though French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli concedes that ultimately the French government will decide if fans can attend the tournament and how many will be permitted.

"The preferred option is to have a Roland Garros with as many spectators as possible," Giudicelli said today in a video call with Gael Monfils. "After that, depending on the health conditions, we will adapt to the directives the government gives us.

"The government will decide how many people can be there."

The French government has banned all gatherings of 5,000 or more people until September—and it is possible that ban could be extended.

Roland Garros typically averages more than 500,000 fans throughout the fortnight.

Last month, Roland Garros refunded all ticket holders for the 2020 tournament.

While the tournament would obviously lose money playing behind closed doors without fans, rights fees from television networks around the world account for about 30 percent of French Open revenues.

Giudicelli said the FFT is focused on hosting the tournament with fans because "Roland Garros, like all the major tournaments, is a meeting between the players and the public. That's what gives this tournament its magic."

Photo credit: Roland Garros Facebook

Brandon Holt shows Trojan toughness taking title with three impressive wins.
Brandon Holt is a hit on the Backyard Barnstorming Tour.

Days after announcing he turned professional, USC All-American Holt won the non-sanctioned “Backyard Barnstorming Tour” tournament with three impressive wins over the weekend at the Knollwood Tennis Club in Montecito, California.

US Open: Less and Less Likely Fans Will Be Permitted

The 22-year-old Holt, who is ranked just inside the top 500 on the ATP World Tour, opened the money event beating former Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey in Group 1, which also included Jason Jung and Masa Perera, whose father Laxman Perera sponsored the event.

Group 2 included Southern California pros Brandon Nakashima, Marcos Giron, Emilio Nava and UCLA player Govind Nanda.

Holt avenged a finals loss to Querrey from two weeks ago at the Home Court Advantage exhibition in Rolling Hills, California, and finished second to Jung in his group on Saturday to advance to the semifinals Sunday.

Sunday’s format was a first-to-four games, no-ad 10-point tiebreaker to decide the third set. Nanda defeated Jason Jung, 4-0, 4-3, in one semifinal on Sunday with Holt getting past Nakashima in the other semifinal, 10-5 in the tiebreaker.

In the final, Holt swept Nanda, 4-3, 4-1, to take home the $4,000 top prize with Nanda earning $2,500.

Photo credit: USC Athletics/USCTrojans.com