Tennis is back. Nothing says this more clearly than the US Open. While the event itself will still be the same — amazing athletes playing their hearts out on the court — how the event is run has changed a lot. Still, the drive and determination of those putting on the US Open have put procedures in place to keep everyone safe, and make the event as watchable as ever.
Taking place August 31-September 13, 2020, in Queens, New York, the 140th US Tennis Open will be the first grand slam since the world was struck with COVID-19. This event marks an opportunity for all the well-known tennis champions, and those rising in the ranks, to come together. Die-hard fans look forward to watching Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova, Sofia Kenin, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Daniil Medvedev, among many others. Even without stands full of people, quietly watching, this year’s US Open is definitely one of the highlights of 2020 professional sports.
Even for those looking out for their favorite tennis champ, the US Open may feel a little different this year. There are no guarantees this year with the risk of COVID-19 and the extent some players will have to travel. On the other hand, The US Open’s roster may get more dynamic in 2020 as those lesser known professionals get a chance to step into the spotlight. This is great for the players, but even better for the audience. You’ll get an opportunity to get to know someone new and potentially see some new match-ups.
Whoever plays, getting them all to participate has meant transforming the procedures necessary for the event to work. The first step was to remove fans from watching live, taking away the risk of spreading coronavirus through the stands. The next was to establish a way for players, and everyone participating, to stay healthy throughout the tournament.Thanks to the efforts of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and qualified medical personnel, those participating in the US Tennis Open are following strict protocols to protect themselves and each other. Nearly 350 players are now on site at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, readying for play. Add in medical, support, and production staff and there are a lot of moving parts to monitor. Even with all these individuals, compared to a non-pandemic year, there are minimal people on site. However, everyone has to work together to keep it safe, whether that means adjusting who they interact with or how often they monitor their health. The key is that everyone has committed to take a deeper look at the details in order to allow the US Open the play out.
With the players safe, and ready to step onto the court, the next priority is delivering an amazing experience for the fans. Having to watch from home is hard, but the USTA is committed to capturing this unique event in such a way that nobody loses access. Even from a screen, they’ll see the event in the same way as if they were cheering in the stands.
The best part of being at home is having options to watch the US Open unfold. Watchable on ESPN from the couch, fans can also stream live from the US Open website or listen live through US Open Radio.
There’s no question that this year’s US Open will be unique. Whether playing in it, or watching it, the experience will feel different. Thanks to the media covering the event, nobody will miss out on the essence of what makes this tennis tournament so special. Crews like those from Greyline Media are working hard to maintain a two-fold focus that keeps everyone safe without sacrificing the creativity they incorporate to interact with players, capture special moments, and really show all the hard work everyone has put into making this event shine.
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