Australian wheelchair star Dylan Alcott has slammed the USTA, accusing them of “disgusting discrimination” for planning this year’s grand slam tournament without wheelchair tennis.
Alcott, a winner of 10 grand slam wheelchair tennis singles titles, let rip on Twitter after it was announced the 2020 US Open would go ahead, but under strict health measures.
Mixed doubles, junior tournaments and wheelchair tennis have been omitted with organisers saying they needed to limit the numbers of people at the venue.
“Just got announced that the US Open will go ahead WITHOUT wheelchair tennis.. Players weren’t consulted,” Alcott tweeted.
“I thought I did enough to qualify – 2x champion, number 1 in the world. But unfortunately I missed the only thing that mattered, being able to walk. Disgusting discrimination.
“And please do not tell me I am a ‘greater risk’ because I am disabled. I am disabled yes but that does not make me SICK. I am fitter and healthier than nearly everybody reading this right now. There are no added risks.
“And for sure there are far more important things going on in the world, but that choice should’ve been up TO ME. It is blatant discrimination for able bodied people to decide on my behalf what I do with my LIFE AND CAREER just because I am disabled. Not good enough @usopen.”
The pared-down US Open will feature the men’s and women’s singles events, each with 128 players.
But with no fans and no qualifying tournaments. The men’s and women’s doubles fields will be restricted to 32 teams in each, down from 64 teams.
