MX23RW : Sunday, April 28 21:35:38| >> :600:118194404:118194404:

Andy Murray predicts more US Open withdrawals

Andy Murray predicts more US Open withdrawals
© Reuters
Ashleigh Barty announced she would not travel on Thursday.

Andy Murray expects more top names to follow women's world number one Ashleigh Barty in pulling out of the US Open.

Barty announced her withdrawal from the grand slam event in New York, and a warm-up tournament at the same venue, due to fears of Covid-19.

Murray claims to have heard that some of the top men's players will also pull out, even though his commitment to travel to the United States remains firm.

World number one Novak Djokovic, who has already had coronavirus after hosting an exhibition event in Serbia and Croatia without social distancing protocols, and defending champion Rafael Nadal have both previously expressed doubts about playing in the tournament but are both currently listed as entering the Western & Southern Open that precedes the US Open.

The Scot said: "The Ash Barty withdrawal, I think we will see it quite a bit.

"I have heard some of the top male players aren't going to play. I would expect that would be the case. It's everyone's personal decision.

"If they don't feel safe and don't feel comfortable travelling and going there and putting themselves and their team at an increased risk, then it's completely understandable.

"All of the players will have some reservations and it's whether or not you feel comfortable taking that risk. Like I said the other day, my feeling is once we are inside that bubble they created, we will be OK.

"It's more the international travel and getting there which I will be a bit concerned about."

Barty said she did not want to put herself and her support crew through the risks involved in such an effort during the pandemic.

"My team and I have decided that we won't be travelling to the US, and (the) Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year," Barty said in a statement.

"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 I look forward to being back in the US next year."

The Western & Southern Open, usually played in Cincinnati but moved to Flushing Meadows, is due to take place from August 20, with the US Open starting three days after the final on August 31.

Barty, 24, will take time to consider whether she will defend her title at the French Open, rescheduled from its usual northern spring timeslot to commence on September 27.

"I will make my decision on the French Open and the surrounding WTA European tournaments in the coming weeks," she said.

ID:408525: cacheID:408525:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5578:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ashleigh Barty in action at Wimbledon on July 8, 2019
Read Next:
Ashleigh Barty pulls out of US Open due to coronavirus fears
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Result
Baez
Fritz
2 3
6 6
Result
Griekspoor
Rune
6 4 6
4 6 3
Result
Humbert
Struff
5 4
7 6
Result
Hurkacz
Altmaier
6 77
4 62
10am
Paul
Cerundolo
Result
Rublev
Davidovich Fokina
712 6
610 4
Result
Seyboth Wild
Alcaraz
3 3
6 6
10am
Shapovalov
Zverev
Result
Sherif
Rybakina
1 4
6 6
Result
Krueger
Bejlek
3 1
6 6
Result
Putintseva
Dolehide
6 6
2 2
Result
Pavlyuchenkova
Kasatkina
65 5
77 7
Result
Vondrousova
Andreeva
5 1
7 6
Result
Garcia
Paolini
3 2
6 6
Result
Collins
Cristian
3 6 6
6 4 1
7.10pm
Montgomery
Sabalenka


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!