Players to be automatically removed from tournament if they 'leave bubble' - US Open protocols revealed

[Raul_SJ]

I always like reading you for the complete fiction you write about me without the slightest twinge from your conscience.

We are here to refresh your clouded memory.

We recommended that all USO players stay at a designated secure hotel to limit any possible contagion.

You claimed that this was the worst possible idea as the virus could spread quickly just as it did on the isolated cruise ships. It would be safer to have players spread out at different hotels. That was your silly dangerous recommendation.

The tournaments did exactly as we suggested and wisely avoided your silly dangerous solution. Best to just admit you were very very wrong on this matter and then we could move on.

The second European tournament in the WTA's restart amid the pandemic is following the same rules as the Palermo Open last week: No fans and media, players have to handle their own towels and are not allowed to shake hands.

The players are isolated on one floor of a Prague hotel that was completely booked by tournament organizers.​

 

[Bartelby]

I said the task was to keep the players secure, not necessarily together. And keeping them together in one bubble could lead to disaster.

Tournaments, like you, have a prison warder's mentality. And, in any event, they are allowing players to go elsewhere if they want.

And to some extent it is a non-problem because organisers usually make accomodation free so most players use it.

We are here to refresh your clouded memory.

We recommended that all USO players stay at a designated secure hotel to limit any possible contagion.

You claimed that this was the worst possible idea as the virus could spread quickly just as it did on the isolated cruise ships. It would be safer to have players spread out at different hotels. That was your silly dangerous recommendation.

The tournaments did exactly as we suggested and wisely avoided your silly dangerous solution.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

 

[Bartelby]

Andy Murray with the bubble at Wimbledon:

 

[Raul_SJ]

I said the task was to keep the players secure, not necessarily together. And keeping them together in one bubble could lead to disaster.

Keeping all the players together was exactly the USO plan. But a few spoiled players complained.

Prague Open kept all players together and there was no disaster as you foolishly suggest.
On the contrary, the Prague Open Bubble was a resounding success. Not a single player was infected.

You have much to learn about the basics of bio-secure bubbles. If you respect the virus you will respect the bubble.

The idea is to put the world’s top players in a bubble—also known as the TWA Hotel at New York’s Kennedy Airport—that will serve as their base for two tournaments including the U.S. Open. They’ll encounter no fans or media, and they will exit the bubble only once they are eliminated. Should they feel adventurous, they can follow it by jetting off to Paris for the rescheduled French Open in late September.​

​

It’s far from what players are used to, but a biosecure hotel and a reshuffled calendar are how the sport hopes to rescue two Grand Slam tournaments in the weirdest tennis season in history. The bad news for organizers is that they’ve only fought half the battle.​

​

They know that majors can only be a success if the top players stay healthy. And are willing to travel. And are allowed into the country. And play by the rules of the bubble. And keep testing negative for the virus.​

 

[Bartelby]

I never suggested there would be a disaster in Prague. I merely said these things are a possibility.

Tennis players are independent contractors, not employees, so they should not have to accept such direction on any account unless they volunteer.

Keeping all the players together was exactly the USO plan. But a few spoiled players complained.

Prague Open kept all players together and there was no disaster as you foolishly suggest.
On the contrary, the Prague Open Bubble was a resounding success. Not a single player was infected.

You have much to learn about the basics of bio-secure bubbles. If you respect the virus you will respect the bubble.

The idea is to put the world’s top players in a bubble—also known as the TWA Hotel at New York’s Kennedy Airport—that will serve as their base for two tournaments including the U.S. Open. They’ll encounter no fans or media, and they will exit the bubble only once they are eliminated. Should they feel adventurous, they can follow it by jetting off to Paris for the rescheduled French Open in late September.​

​

It’s far from what players are used to, but a biosecure hotel and a reshuffled calendar are how the sport hopes to rescue two Grand Slam tournaments in the weirdest tennis season in history. The bad news for organizers is that they’ve only fought half the battle.​

​

They know that majors can only be a success if the top players stay healthy. And are willing to travel. And are allowed into the country. And play by the rules of the bubble. And keep testing negative for the virus.​

 

[Raul_SJ]

I never suggested there would be a disaster in Prague. I merely said these things are a possibility.

Tennis players are independent contractors, not employees, so they should not have to accept such direction on any account unless they volunteer.

You said keeping the players in one place was the worst idea because it could spread quickly just like it did in cruise ships. The analogy is flawed because a bubble is not a cruise ship. Players can be thrown out of a bubble.

Obviously it is easier to manage players located at one designated hotel inside the secure bubble rather than having some players spread out in hotels outside of the bubble. Those outside hotel players will have to be constantly readmitted inside the bubble.

Fortunately the Prague Open realized the obvious benefits of a single bio-secure bubble and have not had a single player infected!