US Open tournament director, USTA CEO, doctors address Covid protocols and concerns before fans arrive at Flushing Meadows

Tennis Channel Live: The Social Net, as we head into the US Open

NEW YORK—Amid a late summer filled with concern about a renewed spread of COVID-19, due to the Delta variant, and lagging vaccination rates, due to a multitude of factors, four leaders of the fast-approaching US Open presented the tournament's safety measures with confidence on a Wednesday conference call.

The 45-minute Q&A session largely touched upon fans, players and media moving in and around Manhattan and Queens, the two boroughs where the majority of attendees will be staying and playing over the two-week event, but also the Open's place amongst large-scale gatherings that are continuing to go forward despite the recent surge in coronavirus cases.

In addition, USTA CEO Mike Dowse revealed at that last year's US Open, over 14,000 COVID tests were conducted with 99.97% of them coming negative. But hosting the tournament came at a steep cost, which this year's event certainly hopes to begin to recoup.

"Does it make financial sense for us to host the US Open: Again, the answer is yes, it did make sense," said Dowse. "However, it is really important to know, we did run a $180 million budget deficit in 2020 as a result of having no fans at the US Open."

That will change this year, in a big way, with 100 percent capacity permitted at one of the most popular sporting events in the world.

Understandably, that has given many pause about what protocols will be in place and enforced beginning Monday. The short answer: a mix of rules, encouragement and trust.

The USTA released the following fan health information prior to the discussion:

Below are some of the questions asked, and the answers given to them—edited for length and clarity:

Do you feel you are taking a huge risk in allowing players the chance to mix with the public?

Stacey Allaster, US Open Tournament Director and USTA Chief Executive, Professional Tennis: We have that confidence because here in New York City, because of New Yorkers, how they have managed the virus, the vaccination rate in this community is almost at 70%. We heard loud and clear the athletes' mental health through these last 12 months, the isolation in the bubbles, was important, that they could have some flexibility.

Each of us every day, we are living with the virus. It's therefore then our collective responsibilities on how we do it and the protocols that we put in place.

It was said that Ashe and Armstrong will be considered outdoor venues. Does that change if the roof closes?

Allaster: Our roof, when it's closed, the air filtration systems, the facility is deemed still an outdoor venue.

There's going to be many thousands of people milling around. There's no requirement outdoors for masks or for proof of vaccination or testing. How much assurance do you get from public health officials that players will be okay?

Dr. Brian Hainline, USTA First Vice President and Member of the USTA Medical Advisory Board; Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA: Our guidance really comes from the New York City public health officials. The goal is not to prevent all cases of COVID. The goal really is to be certain that we don't have an outbreak of COVID that's going to be unusual or that we would regret.

We're still relying on the goodwill of people. The unvaccinated, although it's not going to be enforced, they really should be wearing masks. I expect many vaccinated individuals are going to be wearing masks as well. It's like any other aspect of New York City, going to the baseball game, you make an informed decision.

But based on all the data we have right now and the guidance, we believe that the current policy makes good sense in terms of really avoiding any sort of a regional outbreak as a result of this event.

Are players and their team members, unlike last year, are allowed to stay anywhere they want? Are all players and team personnel, other than those who got COVID within the last 90 days, tested every four days at a designated Manhattan hotel as long as they remain in the tournament?

Allaster: The athletes can stay where they would like. The InterContinental Barclays, the official hotel, and the overflow hotel across the street. [Editor's Note: The Lexington.] We have 75% of the competitors staying in one of those two hotels. We thought we'd have about 70%, so our projection has been on target.

And players and player support team members all tested upon entry, then they will move into every four days.

With the player freedoms, are you prepared to default a player, a semifinalist or finalist, who tests positive late in the tournament?

Allaster: In the event that an athlete tests positive, that athlete will be taken out of the competition.

If you were sitting down with Stefanos Tsitsipas—who the other day said that he hasn't gotten the vaccine, as it been tested enough; that there's no reason for a person in his age group to get it; and that the virus is for old people in terms of negative side effects—what would you say? Should young athletes get the vaccine?

Hainline: That's what I would say. It's consistent with what we're saying through NCAA member school athletes. When we go across the NCAA, we're at close to 85% vaccination. We're strongly encouraging that.

We're actually doing that in conjunction with the White House. There's a major push to get our young individuals vaccinated.

I would strongly encourage that. And I have been with all athletes.

Regarding the mental health initiative during the US Open, what is the overall philosophy?

Dr. Claudia Reardon, Mental Health Consultant, Professor of University School of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Co-Chair of IOC's Mental Health in Elite Athletes Workgroup: The overall plan for mental health during the US Open really aims to create an environment that supports all aspects of player health. Importantly, health here includes mental health. They're inseparable. To accomplish this we developed a six-component plan.

Stigma when it comes to mental health remains strong unfortunately for everyone, for the general population, but that's disproportionately the case when it comes to high-level athletes. It is quite hard for them as a general rule to be able to speak up and reach out for help.

We want to use our platform to enhance awareness of the importance of mental health, the fact that mental health is health. We hope to reach athletes at the event through various mediums available to us.

Does the USTA have any idea what percentage of players either on the tours or entered in the Open are vaccinated?

Chris Widmaier, USTA Managing Director of Corporate Communications: As it relates to the percentage, we do not have that at this moment. Let me work following this call to see if we can get that information.

How do you match up your positions with what seems to be taking place everywhere else in the country where you see concerts being canceled in their entirety, tours? I understand you think there's a major difference. We probably will behave a little better, but it still seems to provide a fertile environment for something bad.

Hainline: We are tracking this carefully. Again, this is not a USTA decision or a US Open decision. This is a decision made with New York City. Of course, we've been tracking what's been happening at the baseball games and other events.

The goal is not to prevent a single infection. The goal is to prevent an outbreak and an uptick. New York City has remained very steady. We'll continue to monitor that and we'll continue to follow the advice of our health authorities.