The intense security protocols that the US Open has put in place for the tournament is giving many top stars, including Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep, the jitters about taking part in the first Grand Slam since the Covid-19 pandemic.
India’s Sania Mirza, too, feels it is too early to make a commitment.
Will Sania play in the US Open, which is set to start on August 31? “It is still too early to say,” said her father and former coach Imran Mirza from their Hyderabad residence.
Ranked 226 in doubles at present, Sania may need a wild card to take part in the US Open. But given the pandemic situation, if a number of top players opt out, the chance for the Indian to make it to the Grand Slam main draw can’t be ruled out.
Sources close to the star said she had not yet decided on who may be her partner at the US Open, if she at all gets a chance to play.
Sania, former world No. 1 in doubles, was keen on making a comeback to the court in 2020. After celebrating son Izhaan’s first birthday and having spent more than two years off the professional circuit, she started 2020 on a strong note, winning the Hobart International in January, partnering Nadiia Kichenok of the Ukraine.
Playing with Kichenok for the first time, Sania continued with the partnership in the first Grand Slam of the season, where she used her “protected ranking”. But unfortunately for Sania, a niggling calf injury forced her to pull out of the mixed doubles (with Rohan Bopanna) and she limped off the court in the first round of the women’s doubles.
She also got two wild cards to play in the Qatar Open and the Dubai Duty Free tournament, with Caroline Garcia of France, in February but failed to go past the early rounds.
With the sport hitting the pause button that led to Wimbledon being cancelled, and the French Open rescheduled to be held after the US Open, tennis players are naturally finding it difficult to be in top shape. The very real prospect of having to play in empty courts and adhering to strict health protocols is also deterring many players.
