Tennis and the assumption of responsibilities of illness and death

CEBU, Philippines — The first-ever behind closed doors Grand Slam will go on as scheduled on August 31, but players will be subjected to strict health protocols and will be confined to bubble hotels with their entourage restricted in numbers.  The USTA is also requiring players to sign waivers saying that organizers will not be responsible for them getting sick or die with the corona virus.

The waiver reads, “I voluntarily assume full responsibility for any risk of loss or personal injury, including serious illness, injury or death that may be sustained by me or others who come into contact with me, as a result of my presence in the facilities, whether caused by the negligence of the National Tennis Center or otherwise.” 

“I agree that all claims and controversies between me and any of the releases arising out of or relating to this waiver or my presence at the facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic must be pursued on an individual basis only.”

“By signing this waiver, I waive my right to commence, or be a party to, any class actions or collective claims against the releases.”

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Deciding not to defend his US Open title, the World No. 2 Rafael Nadal explained that switching from hardcourt to clay will compromise his body saying that the schedule is tight considering many months without active tennis.  He will instead focus on defending his title at Roland Garros which is just two weeks after the US Open.

“If I am going to compete, all my senses have to be focused on competition to perform at my best, and it would be difficult to achieve that”, Nadal said.

World No. 4 Roger Federer likewise will not see action in New York.   This year, he had two knee surgeries and is not expected to be back on the ATP tour again for the rest of 2020.  Hopefully, 2021 will be a good year him as he plans on competing for the Olympic gold.  He just turned 39-years old.

Flushing Meadows will be without the Spanish Bull and the Fed Express but it will have World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who leads a field of seven of the world’s top 10 with No. 3 Dominic Thiem, No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 7 Alexander Zverev, No. 8 Matteo Berrettini and No. 10 David Goffin.  The come backing Andy Murray is also on the main draw.

On the women’s side, it is hit with high-profile withdrawals headed by current No. 1 Ashley Barty.  No. 5 Eliina Svitolina, No. 7 Kiki Bertans as well as No. 32 Eliina Svitolina also withdrew from the tournament citing concerns on the pandemic. 

But there will still be women star power with No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 3 Karolina Pliskova, defending US Open women’s titlist No. 6 Bianca Andreescu, No. 8 Belinda Bencic, No. 9 Serena Williams and No. 10 Naomi Osaka.

Champions will be receiving less this year as they will be earning “only” $3 million, less $850,000 from last year.  Total prize money will be $53.4 million, down by $3.8 million from last year. 

With $3 million still at stake, of course they would assume responsibility for their illness or maybe death, heaven forbid.