Following its indefinite suspension, due to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, the tennis tour is finally back – much to the delight of its fans across the globe! Whilst several tournaments have taken a hit this year, including Wimbledon – which was cancelled for the first time since World War II – the US Open, and the French Open, are still set to go ahead, albeit slightly behind schedule.
The American Grand Slam will get underway – behind closed doors – at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in New York on August 31st, with the final taking place around a fortnight later, on September 13th. However, The French Open, which will reportedly take place in front of a 50% capacity at the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, starts just two weeks later, on September 27th – meaning most players will likely have to choose between the two tournaments, due to the proximity, and coronavirus rules – such as quarantine.
Britain’s Andy Murray is one of those players with a difficult decision to make. However, if you’re looking for tennis predictions, it is tipped that the 33-year-old is going to play in the US Open, and he’s even revealed himself that he is “willing to take a risk” to play in New York.
“The situation I’ve been in last few years I’ve not had opportunity to play in many Slams, I don’t know how many opportunities I’ll have left to play in slams,” “So, while I’m feeling relatively decent, obviously there is a risk there, but I want to try and play in them and enjoy the biggest events again. I missed that a lot, I’ve missed it.
“I love playing the biggest events, even though this will be different with no fans but
that is something I care about and willing to take a risk to go and play,” the Scot, who
has been plagued with injuries since 2017, said at the Battle of the Brits Team
Tennis event.
But, could this be the perfect chance for Murray to win his fourth career Grand Slam, and his second US Open? Well, the absence of some of the world’s best players will massively play into his favour!
Last year’s US Open winner Rafael Nadal – who is the odds-on favourite to win the French Open, according to the 2020 tennis odds – recently confirmed that he won’t be defending his title in New York, due to the current circumstances, whilst 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer also won’t be in attendance after being side-lined for the rest of the year with a foot injury.
The dropouts don’t end there either, Australian Nick Kyrgios has revealed he won’t be playing in New York, whilst France also looks to be off the cards for the 25-year-old. World Number One Novak Djokovic also looks likely to miss the stateside Grand Slam. However, he is due to make an official decision in the ‘next few days.’
Even with World Number Three Dominic Thiem, who reached the final of this year’s Australian Open, confirming that he intends to participate in the US Open, the field has been massively weakened by some of the sport’s biggest names pulling out.
Will there ever be a better time for Murray, who’s injuries have left him ranked 129th in the world, to win another Grand Slam? With his time rapidly running out, probably not!
