Andy Murray is advocating for harsh penalties to be imposed on players who break the safety rules of the Flushing Meadows bubble during the US Open this year. The British player expressed concerns that some players may not adhere to the guidelines put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Murray stated, “I believe that most players will follow the regulations, but we can’t ignore the possibility of some players not complying with the rules and protocols, as we have seen in the NBA. Therefore, we need to be prepared for such scenarios and have serious consequences in place, as it could jeopardize the entire tournament and tour.”
So far, tennis authorities have been hesitant to address the issue of imposing penalties. Stacey Allaster, the US Open chief executive, expressed confidence in the professionalism of the athletes. However, the ATP’s recent rulebook update includes the possibility of fines as high as $20,000 for any breaches of social distancing protocols.
Murray is set to travel to New York to participate in the relocated Western & Southern Open followed by the US Open. The two-time Wimbledon champion admitted feeling uneasy about flying for the first time in several months.
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