2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament poised to capture highest ever viewing ratings.

 

[Photo caption: Rafael Nadal won his fourth US Open title last year.]

Whether in New York or California, the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament stands to garner its biggest ratings ever.

The U.S. Open, tennis’ second most attended Grand Slam, will make history this year on several fronts. First, it will be this year’s only second Grand Slam, since Wimbledon was cancelled and the French Open was postponed. Second, given the fact that world sport was put on hold for more than two months due to the COVID19 pandemic, this year’s event stands to garner its biggest TV ratings ever. Tennis fans are “starving” and keenly eager to “devour” world class tennis after a very long hiatus. Plus, tennis Grand Slams consistently capture the attention of casual sports fans and big event enthusiasts, expanding its audiences even more. 

“If the USTA finds a way to pull off the tournament, even if it's with a reduced draw on just a few courts, and without doubles (because of social distancing restrictions), it would be one of the most-watched sporting events of all time,” John Tobias, whose GSEworldwide management firm represents Sloane Stephens and the Bryan brothers, told ESPN.

If the tournament is held in its traditional venue, the 2020 U.S. Open will prove to be a huge economic and emotional boost to New York City, the metro area most severely affected by the COVID19 pandemic. New York had an estimated 319,000 confirmed cases and more than 19,000 deaths. Holding the Open at the “Big Apple” would mean having players fly in from all over the world and converging on one site for two weeks.

In its official website, the USTA states that it is “carefully monitoring the environment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and is preparing for all contingencies. We also rely on the USTA’s Medical Advisory Group as well as government and security officials to ensure that we have the broadest understanding of this fluid situation. In all instances, all decisions made by the USTA regarding the US Open will be made with the health and well-being of our players, fans and all others involved in the tournament as the top priority.”

What is the likelihood that the tournament will be canceled or postponed? 

The USTA states that it plans to host the US Open as scheduled.

“Currently, we are not implementing any changes to the 2020 US Open, and planning for the event is ongoing. We are continually monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation through regular briefings with government, security and medical experts. The USTA's top priority is the health, safety and well-being of everyone involved with the US Open, including all the fans, ticket holders, players, volunteers and staff,” reads the USTA statement in the official U.S. Open championships website.

The U.S. Open is slated to run Aug. 24-Sept. 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The organizers say they will make final decisions regarding the venue by June.

If the tournament is moved to California, the event will be held at the Indian Wells center court, which accommodates 16,000 fans and is the second-largest tennis arena in the world behind Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows. The Californian desert tournament is home to 29 tennis hard-courts. #USOpen #USOpenTennis #RafaelNadal #SportingEvents #Tennis

{Photo captions: Canadian star Bianca Andreescu won her first US Open title in 2019.]

Carlos "Charlie" Giron is a sports writer, content marketing professional, and dance & fitness enthusiast based in NYC. Founder of @NYC247Events and @RankingsTop4. Giron has held executive positions with FIFA Confederation CONCACAF and with Major League Soccer.

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