Dylan Alcott attack forces US Open into a rethink about wheelchair tennis

A furious Dylan Alcott has forced US Open organisers into a rethink of its wheelchair tennis schedule after his spray went viral.

Dylan Alcott may get the chance to compete in New York after all.

The US Tennis Association (USTA), accused of discrimination after calling off its annual US Open wheelchair tennis events, has 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 during the week.

That pushed Australian wheelchair star Dylan Alcott to call the move “disgusting discrimination” by the USTA, which conducted what it termed a “very productive call” with International Tennis Federation leaders and wheelchair athletes who have traditionally competed at the US Open.

RELATED: Alcott lashes out at ‘disgusting’ snub

Just got announced that the US Open will go ahead WITHOUT wheelchair tennis.. 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

— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) June 17, 2020

And for sure there are far more important things going on in the world, 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 @usopen

— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) June 17, 2020

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 finalise an approach to the 2020 US Open wheelchair competition.”