23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has said the upcoming US Open will be a “wild experience,” with the tournament scheduled to take place without any spectators due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
Williams will be making her return to the WTA Tour at the Top Seed Open in Lexington this coming week where she will be the first seed, and said in an interview with People Magazine just three weeks ahead of the event at Flushing Meadows that the prospect of playing behind closed doors would be a unique challenge.
“I’ve always played with such a big crowd. Without fans, how will I do? I don’t even know,” the American commented. “But I look at it as another experience. A wild experience.”
Williams had previously committed to playing at the tournament in what is undoubtedly a huge boost for the event. Not only is her quest for a 24th Grand Slam continuously attracting a large amount of fan and media attention, the withdrawal of several high profile players means that the USTA will be banking on the likes of Williams to play. Three players ranked above her- Ashleigh Barty, Elina Svitolina, and Kiki Bertens- are amongst those who have withdrawn.
With more withdrawals likely in the weeks preceding to the event it seems likely that Williams may become a heavy favourite for the title. She has won the title six times throughout her career but has not won since 2014, losing in finals to Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu in 2018 and 2019 respectively. She is currently set to be the sixth seed at the tournament, though further withdrawals are likely.