Ryan Harrison defends US Open, urges lower-ranked players to look at bigger picture



by DZEVAD MESIC

Ryan Harrison defends US Open, urges lower-ranked players to look at bigger picture
Ryan Harrison defends US Open, urges lower-ranked players to look at bigger picture

American tennis player Ryan Harrison has defended the US Open organizers after they revealed their plan for this year's event. On Tuesday, the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gave the green light to the US Open organizers to proceed with the event as scheduled.

However, there will be many changes and adjustments as singles qualifying events, mixed doubles, junior and wheelchair competitions are being eliminated. The men's and women's doubles will take place but the draws will be reduced from its usual 64 teams to 32 teams.

The thing that has sparked the most rage among the players is the fact that there won't be qualifying events at the US Open. The lower-ranked players have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic and they believe the US Open organizers aren't being fair to them by not giving them a chance to earn a spot for the tournament.

120 players in each men's and women's events will make the main draw directly with their ranking, while the remaining eight will enter the event via a wildcard.

Ryan Harrison urges players to look at the bigger picture

Harrison, ranked at No.

452 in the world, won't make the US Open main draw cut this year but he has praised the US Open organizers for their efforts to stage the event this year. "I think it's important that everyone understands the total picture of what the US Open has done.

Tennis is a business, and the ATP Tour supports the Challenger Tour financially. The US Open largely contributes to all of the financial backing of the US Challengers. Without the US Open, there would be no Cincy or Washington (both ATP events) and a massive hit on US challengers for years ahead," Harrison said in a note played on his Twitter account.

"I understand that many players who think they will miss out on the chance to play qualifying is frustrating, however walking away with a check that is equivalent to what the main draw players made for being in first round nearly a decade ago, is not coming away empty-handed.

Any players who are personally upset about not being able to compete, I would encourage (them) to look at the bigger picture, and be appreciative that the US Open has found a way to push forward despite such difficult circumstances."

Former world No. 40 Ryan Harrison could still make the US Open main draw if he receives a wildcard.

Ryan Harrison Us Open