Ashleigh Barty to skip the US Open due to coronavirus concerns

The 2020 US Open will eventually be held, but it’s still a big question how many players outside the USA will decide to take the trip and contest this restricted version of the event. The latest news is that world No.1 Ashleigh Barty has confirmed that she will skip the Grand Slam this year, as well as the Western & Southern Open organized at the same venue right before, because of risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

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 U.S.…