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A general view of Arthur Ashe Stadium is seen as Alexander Zverev of Germany serves the ball in the third set during his Men’s Singles final match against and Dominic Thiem of Austria on Day Fourteen of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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A general view of Arthur Ashe Stadium is seen as Alexander Zverev of Germany serves the ball in the third set during his Men’s Singles final match against and Dominic Thiem of Austria on Day Fourteen of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
After more than a year with the unprecedented circumstances that COVID brought about, tennis is finally going back to normal. Recently, the USTA announced that the US Open 2021 would host a 100% spectator capacity throughout the tournament.
Inarguably, this is the first big step post-COVID which has come from the United States Tennis Association. Last year, the major tournament had commenced behind closed doors without any fans.
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Thus, the news has indeed come as a booster of confidence for tennis players and fans. Notably, the last time a tennis tournament saw a 100% capacity crowd was back in January-February last year, during the 2020 Australian Open.
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US Open 2021 will have no capping on spectators
In 2020, the empty stands at Arthur Ashe stadium had altered the entire ambiance, and everyone wanted things to return to normal soon.
Now, with COVID vaccinations being available worldwide, the restrictions are finally easing up. Consequently, the US Open 2021 has found a way to fill all the seats for this year’s final Grand Slam.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland reacts during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Moreover, the USTA also stated that the tickets for Flushing Meadows, New York, would hit the stands from July. The tournament’s main event will go live from August 30 and run until September 12, 2021.
Besides, the upcoming Wimbledon Championships is also looking forward to hosting fans to a 100% capacity. However, this will only hold true for the men’s and women’s while the rest of the matches will have a 50% cap.
Ultimately, the cheering and the intensity that crowds bring to tennis tournaments will return.
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What to expect in Flushing Meadows this year?
In addition to crowds, the Flushing Meadows will host a new defending men’s singles champion, Dominic Thiem. Also, for the first time, the tournament will introduce electronic line calling technology instead of linespersons.
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SEPTEMBER 06: Novak Djokovic of Serbia tends to a line judge Laura Clark who was hit with the ball during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on Day Seven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Last year, the Serbian World No. 1 Novak Djokovic got defaulted from the tournament after accidentally hitting a linesperson, and such a thing might not happen again in the last Grand Slam of the year.
Above all, the night sessions in Flushing Meadows create one of the most exciting environments in tennis. This year, the crowd will return to make tennis, tennis again.
Are you excited about the 100% capacity crowd at the US Open in New York?
Also Read: What Lies Ahead for Novak Djokovic After French Open 2021 Triumph?
