Will the U.S. Open be cancelled?

This year's U.S. Open, one of the 4 major tournaments on the professional tennis tour, normally the final Grand Slam of the year, is still on the schedule for play, starting August 31. (The French Open had already re-scheduled its tournament for the end of September.)

Photo Credit: Jeffrey P. Horne at https://flickr.com/photos/45948592@N04/48667665777.

The big question of course is, will it still happen? Three of the sport's biggest stars, defending Men's champion Rafa Nadal, the controversial Nick Kyrgios, and Women's World #1, Ash Barty, have announced they will not enter the tournament because of COVID-19 concerns.

Nadal made his announcement yesterday, saying on Twitter, "After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open. The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it."

"We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play, I understand and thank for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen. We have just seen the announcement of Madrid not being played this year."

"All my respects to the USTA, the US Open organisers and the ATP for trying to put the event together for the players and the fans around the world through TV."

"This is a decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I rather not travel."

Barty made her announcement on July 29, saying, "My team and I have decided that we won't be travelling to the US and Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year."

"I love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to COVID-19 and I don't feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position

How many others will follow their lead? Will that matter to the organizers?

What do you think? Comments please.

Why are tennis tournaments being scheduled in Southern California during a pandemic?

Well, many of you know that I play a lot of tennis - well, I used to anyway, until the COVID-19 pandemic struck. I live in California, and, like many of you in other states, our Governor has issued certain Stay-at-home orders in conjunction with the State Public Health Director. These orders have the force of law - despite what many others may claim.

Photo Credit: ©K.C. & F.J. Maccioli

The basic point of a Stay-at-home order during a pandemic is to limit contact with people outside of one's home. To limit interactions with people with whom you do not live in order to minimize the chance that one might become infected or infect someone else. 

Although we are not confined to our homes - we can shop for food, clothing, gasoline, repairs, etc. - certain other activities are restricted.

In California, there are restrictions on Outdoor Recreation. Those restrictions require that we maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet AND restrict our recreational activities to members of our own household. 

Subsequent to that order, California issued more specific requirements for Outdoor Recreation as things began to open up more. Those requirements also say that court sports must be limited to members of one's own household: "...Most organized activities and sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and football that are held on park fields, open areas, and courts are not permitted to the extent that they require coaches and athletes who are not from the same household or living unit to be in close proximity, which increases their potential for exposure to COVID-19. Members of the same household may engage in such activities and sports together." 

How does one practice social distancing during a competitive doubles match when a shot is hit down the middle?  

Having said that, I find it amazing that the United States Tennis Association (USTA), private tennis clubs, and other organizations are scheduling tennis tournaments and team tennis leagues throughout Southern California. Even if the above restrictions were not in effect, the fact that the rates of infection are still unacceptably high throughout the state should be reason enough to show more caution! These tournaments and leagues include singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, as well as all age groups, including those most vulnerable to the novel coronavirus - those over 65 years old.

I have asked USTA and other organizations to explain how and why they can ignore the requirements in the California Stay-at-home order. 

USTA and some tennis clubs have refused to answer my questions. Others have said that such events are allowed by their local county or city authorities, however, none has provided any evidence that they have specific approval from California to do so.

A county or local ordinance may not be less stringent than California requirements unless California has granted such approval!

I ask again to all organizations planning these events - what the hell are you doing? Infections in many counties of the state are growing. Hospitals are being overwhelmed again.

Who in California's government said that you can do this?

I'm not holding my breath waiting for an answer.

It's a pandemic - wear a mask! Please!!!! You probably look better with one covering your face anyway!

OK - Im really a little ticked off about people refusing to wear a mask during the COVID19 pandemic. It's really simple, it isn't harmful, you aren't going to suffocate, you aren't going to smother yourself, you aren't going to do anything except be a frigging selfish jerk and potentially harm someone else.

This is a pic of me wearing a mask. As you can see, it covers most of my ugly face. Due to the Stay-at-home restrictions imposed here in California, we aren't supposed to play sports with non-household members. So, that put a definite crimp on my weekly doubles matches with my friends. 

Therefore, in order to keep myself from turning into a 400 lb blimp watching TV, I started riding my bike again. My 44 year old Peugeot UO10 bike.

I just got done riding for 45 minutes in top gear on this bike in 90° F heat yesterday. The mask has 2 layers with a third layer - a PM2.5 filter - in between. It didn't bother me at all - and I'm 68 years old and a quadruple heart bypass survivor!

So, put on your damn mask. Act like a grown-up for once in your life. Save someone!

I once showed Cliff Drysdale how to hit a one-handed backhand

Ol' Ace was going through his computer files today, deleting stuff, saving other stuff, when he dusted off some old photos from a tennis clinic at the (now closed) Laurel Glen Tennis Club in Bakersfield, CA. The clinic was run by none other than famed tennis great Cliff Drysdale.

 

Two remarkable and memorable things about that clinic stick in MY memory:

 

1. During forehand and backhand groundstroke drills, Cliff would watch each of us, then offer some tips on how to adjust or improve our strokes. After seeing me hit he said, "Gee, I've been watching you for several minutes now and...I really can't think of anything that you need to improve! Keep up the good play!"

 

 2. I showed Cliff how to hit a one-handed backhand (he was famous for using two hands back in the day).

Just sayin...had a great time.

Me and my bud, Cliff...

Photo Credits:  © F.J. Maccioli/Kama Ruby

New background photo - what do you think?

Now ol' Ace isn't the most geekie guy there is in regards to web pages and blogs, but, I got tired of the background pic on this one. So, I grabbed one of my own, modified it, and stuck it on here. What do you think?

Photo Credit: © Frank J. Maccioli

Not bad, eh?