World number two Simona Halep has announced that she will not participate in the US Open due to the health situation due to Covid-19, joining the long list of those absent in the top 10.
Two weeks from its kickoff, the US Open loses a new headliner. Simona Halep, world number 2, indeed announced her package on Monday on her Twitter account for fear of the coronavirus. The Romanian thus becomes the sixth player in the top 10 to give up the American Grand Slam.
“After weighing all the factors and the exceptional circumstances we live in, I decided that I would not travel to New York to play the US Open,” said the player. I have always said that I would put my health on heart of my decision and that’s why I prefer to stay in Europe and train “.
2/2 and I therefore prefer to stay and train in Europe. I know the @usta and @WTA have worked tirelessly to put on a safe event and I wish everyone there a successful tournament ?
– Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) August 17, 2020
Barty and Nadal had already given up
Special health circumstances which pushed many players to give up and the organization to adapt for the holding of this New York Grand Slam. Thus, in the women’s table, this forfeit is added to those of Barty (N.1), Svitolina (N.5), defending champion Andreescu (N.6), Bertens (N.7) and Bencic ( N.8). Only Pliskova, Kenin, Williams and Osaka will therefore represent the top 10 at Flushing Meadows.
For the men, remember that Nadal, Monfils, Fognini, Wawrinka or Kyrgios have also chosen not to go to Flushing Meadows while Roger Federer, injured, will not return until 2021 and Kei Nishikori has tested positive for Covid- 19 and will at least be absent for the Cincinnati Masters 1000.
