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Australian world No. 204 Andrew Harris has blasted the US Open organizers as he suggests they aren't being fair to all players. This week, the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gave the US Open organizers the green light to schedule this year's event.
There won't be qualifying event for the US Open and the lower-ranked players won't have a chance to earn their way into the main draw. "So on the ATP Tour Zoom call the other week it was made clear to us the reason for the US Open qualifying and half of the main draw doubles being cut were due to numbers and safety reasons for COVID.
Hence only one team member were allowed to come onsite," Harris said in a Twitter post. "Now we find out that players can now bring three team members onsite. Since when did a players entourage take priority over an actual player, playing for their livelihood? The gap at the top gets bigger.
This can’t be happening. "You also claimed that canceling qualifying and half of doubles was due to Cincy being played in New York. Then how is Washington going ahead? That defeats the purpose of the whole bubble thing you were proposing in New York.
Why not play Cincy in Cincy?"
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So on the @atptour Zoom call the other week it was made clear to us the reason for @usopen Qualfying and half of the MD Doubles being cut were due to numbers and safety reasons for COVID.Hence ONLY 1 team member were allowed to come onsite. pic.twitter.com/NxTyrDAErB — Andrew Harris (@AndyHarris1994) June 18, 2020
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Now we find out that players can now bring 3 TEAM MEMBERS onsite. Since when did a players entourage take priority over an actual player, playing for their livelihood? The gap at the top gets bigger.This can’t be happening @AndreaGaudenzi — Andrew Harris (@AndyHarris1994) June 18, 2020
Harris, a former world No. 159, has yet to a make main draw debut at the US Open. The 26-year-old Australian tried to sneak into the US Open main draw last year but he failed after losing in the qualifying first round.3/3
You also claimed that canceling qualifying and half of doubles was due to Cincy being played in NY. Then how is Washington going ahead? That defeats the purpose of the whole bubble thing you were proposing in NY.Why not play Cincy in Cincy? @atptour — Andrew Harris (@AndyHarris1994) June 18, 2020
Yannick Hanfmann joins Harris in blasting the US Open
German world No. 143 Hanfmann also wasn't a fan of how the US Open handled the situation regarding this year's event. The season has been suspended since mid-March and Hanfmann says the lower-ranked players need help now more than those better ranked players.
"Professionals who can survive Corona better with their income anyway will be given another advantage. It makes me think that," Hanfmann told Munchner Merkur. "The USTA absolutely wants to pull through the US Open. I understand that, but it is at the expense of the players beyond the 128th place.
Especially after the pandemic they wanted to secure better. A bit absurd." Hanmfnan, a former world No. 99, suffered a first round loss in his lone appearance at the US Open in 2018.