USTA could move tournament to form US Open doubleheader

The coronavirus pandemic has left leagues and organizations scrambling for ideas to complete games, matches, and competitions while keeping athletes and other personnel safe.

As the United States Tennis Association ponders proposals for how New York can host the 2020 US Open during the uncontrolled and unpredictable virus outbreak, one plan mentioned by Christopher Clarey of the New York Times on Tuesday involves the USTA relocating a tournament just for this year.

Clarey wrote that the governing body could move the Western & Southern Open, also known as The Cincinnati Masters, to Flushing Meadows so that the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center could host back-to-back tournaments at some point during the summer.

This would allow players, Americans and internationals, to quarantine at one site, similar to the proposal recently agreed upon by the NHL and one NBA owners will likely sign off on later this week.

As things stand today, the Western & Southern Open is scheduled for Aug. 17 to 23. The US Open runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13. All dates are scheduled to change, though, due to the pandemic and ever-changing guidelines and government restrictions.

Clarey added spectators likely wouldn't be welcomed to either tournament. ESPN may consider pumping noise into broadcasts, similar to what's been done for German Bundesliga matches, to add atmosphere to broadcasts.