US Open: Aussie wheelchair tennis ace Dylan Alcott gets chance to defend title at Flushing Meadows
After being accused of discrimination by Aussie ace Dylan Alcott last week for overlooking the event, the USTA has done an about-face and reinstated wheelchair tennis into their 2020 schedule.
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The US Open wheelchair competition will be staged September 10-13 in New York in its traditional spot on the calendar, after widespread criticism of its original cancellation.
The event will be played at the National Tennis Center during the final four days of the Grand Slam tournament on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.
Men’s and women’s singles and doubles and quad singles and doubles events will be contested with similar field sizes to past events, the USTA said.
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The move came after the USTA was accused of discrimination for calling off the event due to the coronavirus pandemic when announcing its plans to stage the US Open as scheduled in New York starting August 31, also without qualifying or mixed doubles.
Australian wheelchair standout Dylan Alcott called the move “disgusting discrimination” by the USTA, which had multiple virtual meetings with wheelchair athletes and the International Tennis Federation over the past week to create a plan for a 2020 event.
Wheelchair athletes will follow the same health and safety procedures as all US Open players and will be able to enter the tennis center for practice starting on September 7.
Alcott fury prompts US Open 2020 wheelchair review
The US Tennis Association, accused of discrimination after calling off its annual US Open wheelchair events, have agreed to work with players regarding details of a 2020 competition.
US Open organisers said in a statement they should have worked and communicated directly with the wheelchair athletes before deciding to cancel the event as part of reductions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They are getting feedback from the wheelchair competitors to determine what course of action to follow next regarding a 2020 US Open wheelchair event.
Men’s and women’s singles and doubles titles will be contested in New York as planned from August 31-September 13 but wheelchair, qualifying and junior tournaments were called off.
That pushed Australian wheelchair standout Dylan Alcott to call the move “disgusting discrimination” by the USTA, which conducted what it termed a “very productive call” on Friday (EST) with International Tennis Federation leaders and wheelchair athletes who have traditionally competed at the US Open.
The USTA were represented by chief executive officer Mike Dowse, US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster and US Open wheelchair tournament director Jo Wallen.
“The USTA also committed to working with the players and the ITF to explore a number of potential scenarios for the wheelchair competition to determine the best approach moving forward for the athletes and the competition,” the USTA said.
“The USTA expects to gather player feedback on their perspective and work with the ITF to finalize an approach to the 2020 US Open wheelchair competition.”
‘Disgusting discrimination’: Alcott fury over US Open snub
The world’s best wheelchair tennis player, Dylan Alcott, has accused the US Open of discrimination after it controversially cut wheelchair events from the tournament, writes Leo Schlink.
Winner of 10 singles majors, Alcott is furious at the decision to cull wheelchair categories from the August 31-September 13 tournament.
“Just got announced that the US Open will go ahead WITHOUT wheelchair tennis,” Alcott tweeted.
“Players weren’t consulted. I thought I did enough to qualify – 2x champion, number 1 in the world.
“But unfortunately I missed the only thing that mattered, being able to walk.
“Disgusting discrimination.
“And please do not tell me I am a ‘greater risk’ because I am disabled.
“I am disabled yes but that does not make SICK.
“I am fitter and healthier than nearly everybody reading this right now. There are no added risks.”
Alcott’s anger adds to that of several other players who have vented their frustration over the fact there will be no mixed doubles, juniors or veterans categories, while fields for men’s and women’s doubles have been halved from 64 teams to 32.
Singles players will be regularly screened for COVID-19, temperature tested and housed largely in the same hotel near Flushing Meadows.
The various tours – ATP and WTA – have come under fire for communication around US Open protocols, even though the US Tennis Association runs the US Open.
Alcott, who currently holds the Australian, French and Wimbledon crowns, concedes the pandemic has wrought immense change but is livid at the US Open’s stance.
“And for sure there are far more important things going on in the world,” he tweeted.
“But that choice should’ve been up TO ME.
“It is blatant discrimination for able bodied people to decide on my behalf what I do with my LIFE AND CAREER just because I am disabled.
“Not good enough.”
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Ash Barty, Nick Kyrgios and John Millman are among those who have voiced their concerns over travelling to New York because of health worries.
But Serena Williams and Daria Gavrilova welcome the opportunity to return to the tour after both men’s and women’s tours were slated to resume in mid-August in Washington and Palermo.