Players only? USTA officials now considering possible "no-fan" US Open

The USTA is now considering various changes to allow it to hold the US Open, including playing with no spectators if required.

Officials had previously questioned if they would even have the event under such circumstances, but are now planning for a likelihood of ongoing restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Two months ago, it just didn’t feel like you could have] a no-fan scenario and have it be what we think of as the U.S. Open," [USTA executive Lew Sherr told Sportsbusiness Journal. "As we’ve gone forward, I’ve come around to recognizing what an achievement it would be to play... we have 850,000 fans who attend, but we’ve got hundreds of millions of fans who still watch the Open around the world and will never step foot on the grounds."

The Grand Slam event is still four months away, but a decision will likely be made in the next few weeks because extensive preparations are required.

Getty Images

The lack of tennis tournaments and sports events in general appears to have increased the appeal of having any sort of play among fans and organizers.

According to Sherr, sponsors are also receptive to having the event under such conditions.

"But it will require adjustments," he added, saying, "It’s a different event. It would be broadcast differently, it would be consumed differently, it’s not just playing the U.S. Open, as you know it, with empty seats."

Ticket sales have traditionally provided around a third of the tournament's earnings, with broadcast and sponsorship providing most of the rest for the Grand Slam event.

All tour events have been cancelled or postponed for the next two and a half months.