US Open ‘U-turn’ on wheelchair call

US Open organisers could do a U-turn and reinstate the wheelchair event after an online meeting on Friday with a wheelchair tennis leadership group.

The United States Tennis Association said they should have worked in a “collaborative manner” with athletes when developing the plan for the US Open.

“The USTA also committed to working with the players and the ITF (International Tennis Federation) to explore a number of potential scenarios for the wheelchair competition,” the governing body said in a statement.

“The USTA expects to gather player feedback on their perspective and work with the ITF to finalise an approach to the 2020 US Open Wheelchair Competition.”

Australian tennis champion Dylan Alcott criticised organisers for dumping them from this year’s event, one several changes to help manage the tournament and a result of COVID-19.

“Just got announced that the US Open will go ahead WITHOUT wheelchair tennis … Players weren’t consulted,” Alcott tweeted.

“I thought I did enough to qualify – 2x champion, number 1 in the world. But unfortunately I missed the only thing that mattered, being able to walk. Disgusting discrimination.

“And please do not tell me I am a ‘greater risk’ because I am disabled. I am disabled yes but that does not make me SICK. I am fitter and healthier than nearly everybody reading this right now. There are no added risks.”