For world’s top tennis stars, this week in Kentucky should be a learning experience
For the star women’s tennis players who have descended on central Kentucky for this week’s Top Seed Open, the event will mark a return to a competitive atmosphere ahead of the U.S. Open later this month.
It will also serve as preparation for what the first major since the COVID-19 shutdown began might look like off the court.
In a 32-player main draw singles field flush with big names, the biggest of the first-round matchups — tentatively set for Tuesday — will pit seven-time major champ Venus Williams against two-time major winner and former world’s No. 1-ranked player Victoria Azarenka.
The WTA held its first tournament since early March last weekend in Italy, but the Top Seed Open — being played out of the newly constructed Top Seed Tennis Club in Nicholasville — is the circuit’s first event in the United States since the COVID shutdown and one of the final competitive opportunities for players ahead of the U.S. Open later this month in New York.
Azarenka joked over the weekend that she didn’t even know she was in Kentucky, because the only sights she’s been able to take in have been the hotel where the players are staying and the Top Seed facility where they’ll be competing. That’s obviously by design. The WTA — like the NBA and NHL — have their players in a “bubble” environment to help minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.
The world’s former No. 1 expressed some initial hesitation with the setup, but she also knows the importance of such precautions, and she’s spinning this week’s circumstances into a positive learning process for the future.
“To be honest, before coming here — when we had the call with all the rules and the restrictions coming in — it made me a little bit discouraged coming, because it felt a little bit more (restrictive),” she said. “It’s good for your protection, but at the same time, it felt a little bit like, ‘You know what, I’m not sure I actually want to go.’ And I’m sure that New York is going to be a little bit more strict. So it will be a bit tough to adjust.
“But I think there is maybe a good point of starting and seeing how we can figure it out, and what we can do in this difficult time. Because none of us does know when it’s going to be over. So I think that if everyone takes 100 percent seriousness and awareness of the situation that is happening right now and brings their best responsibility, I think and I hope we can have something safe and successful as a grand slam and as the tournament that we’re currently in.”
Azarenka said she’s hoping the tennis world can learn from some other recent sporting events that have happened — results both good and bad — and take that into account to make for a safe, competitive environment as players return to the court.
The 31-year-old said it wasn’t an easy decision to play during these uncertain times but also that she hasn’t felt this excited about competing in a while. She’ll be tested early.
Venus Williams is still a formidable foe at 40 years old — ranked No. 67 in the world and the oldest player inside of the WTA’s top 400. If Azarenka can get by her, she’ll most likely face top-seeded Serena Williams, who has a first-round matchup with Bernarda Pera. American star Sloane Stephens would be the most likely opponent in the following round, yet another marquee name in that quarter of the draw.
Off the court, Azarenka and the other players will compete with the monotony of the bubble.
Meals and groceries are ordered through such apps as Uber Eats and Instacart, but there will be no opportunities for sightseeing while some of the world’s top tennis stars are in horse country. The traveling parties are much smaller, too. Azarenka noted that her 3-year-old son, Leo, wasn’t on this trip, and she wasn’t sure what circumstances would look like with future tournaments.
“But, right now, this is what’s important to do to keep everybody safe,” she said. “And if we want to move forward with the tour, those are things that we’re trying to apply as a protocol. And it’s your personal responsibility, as well, to follow the rules and be safe.”
The Top Seed Open is being televised globally on the Tennis Channel, but there will be no fans in attendance this week. That’s something Azarenka will miss, saying she and others feed off the crowd. She did say she’s not a fan of the artificial fan noise that’s been piped in to other sporting events in recent weeks. She’s also not sure when fans will be able to safely return to tennis venues and was non-committal on next month’s French Open, which might allow fans in the stands, saying she hopes tournament officials there step up their communication with players over the next few weeks to provide a safe environment for the restart’s second major.
For now, New York and Paris can wait. The tennis world’s eyes are on central Kentucky as it takes center court in what should be a learning experience for all involved.
“I think if we give up the idea that everything is going to be the same and everything is going to be perfect, it will be a little bit easier to handle,” Azarenka said. “So we’re not really going to expect things to be the way they were. There should be some give and take and understanding, and I hope we will learn more and more.”
Early upset
A slow start to play Monday morning because of rain gave way to sunny skies by afternoon in Nicholasville, and it didn’t take long for the tournament to deliver its first upset.
Unseeded Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic knocked out No. 3 seed Johanna Konta of Great Britain, 6-4, 6-4, in the round of 32. Bouzkova entered the tournament No. 48 in the WTA rankings. Konta is No. 15.
Bouzkova, playing for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down tennis last March, said she spent her time away from the court preparing mentally for what was to come. Monday’s matches, played in near silence with no spectators in attendance because of COVID-19, tested that preparation.
“The atmosphere is not going to help you, the crowd is not going to help you,” she said. “It has to come from inside of you.”
No. 6 seed Magda Linette of Poland moved on to the round of 16 with a 6-2, 6-3 win over American Lauren Davis. Also Monday, unseeded Jennifer Brady of the United States defeated unseeded Heather Watson of Great Britain, 6-2, 6-1.
Monday evening, No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus (No. 11 in the world) took on unseeded Madison Brengle of the U.S., and No. 8 seed Ons Jabeur of Tunisia beat American Catherine McNally, 6-2, 6-4.
With additional rain in the forecast, visit the WTA website for the latest results and schedule updates.
Health scare
Konta, the No. 3 seed eliminated Monday, gave the international TV audience watching on the Tennis Channel a scare early in her match. Konta appeared to have trouble breathing and requested medical attention. The incident was not related to COVID-19 or the heat, she said after the match.
“I sometimes have a heart palpitation. Basically, my heart rate just shoots up for no reason,” Konta said. “As you can see, we didn’t have a long point so I wasn’t gassing in any way in terms of lungs or anything. My heart rate shoots up and it doesn’t go down. It actually stays there, and so it makes me a bit light-headed.”
Konta, who described herself as “fit as a fiddle,” said she has experienced the problem three times previously and called the problem “manageable.”
Top Seed Open
When: Monday through Sunday, Aug. 16
Where: Top Seed Tennis Club in Nicholasville
TV: Tennis Channel (no spectators)
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 3:34 PM.
