⁍ World number one Ash Barty will skip this summer’s U.S. Open and the tournament proceeding it in New York due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

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⁍ The U.S. Open kicks off on Aug. 31 and will be played without fans in attendance to limit the spread of the virus.

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⁍ The reigning French Open champion will decide later whether to defend her title at Roland Garros starting in late September.

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– The world’s top-ranked tennis player won’t be making the trip to the US this summer because of the flu. Ash Barty tells the Herald Sun that she and her team have decided not to travel to the US for the Western and Southern Open and the US Open, which will be held in New York City’s Flushing Meadows from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. “I love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to COVID-19 and I don’t feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position,” Barty says, per Reuters. “I wish the USTA all the best for the tournaments and look forward to being back in the US next year.”