Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty has confirmed that she will not be participating in this year’s US Open. The WTA world number one cited the risks of COVID-19 as her reason for skipping the New York-based Grand Slam.
“My team and I have decided that we won’t be travelling to the US for the Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year,” Barty explained.
“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 look forward to being back in the US next year.”
She also confirmed that she will be contemplating over her participation in the French Open and the other WTA European tournaments within the next few weeks.
If Barty decides to participate in this year’s French Open, she will be given the chance to defend the title she won last year. The Australian won the 2019 Roland Garros title after defeating the likes of Madison Keyes and Andrea Petkovic en route to the final.
