![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/2.43988435.jpg\")
World No 1 Ashleigh Barty has pulled out of the US Open and become the first of what is expected to be a number of high profile withdrawals from the tournament due to Covid-19.<\/p>\nWorld No 1 Ashleigh Barty has pulled out of the US Open and become the first of what is expected to be a number of high profile withdrawals from the tournament due to Covid-19.<\/p>\n
The Australian announced her withdrawal from the Grand Slam event and a lead-up tournament, saying she did not want to put herself and her support crew through the risks involved in such an effort during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy team and I have decided that we won\u2019t be travelling to the US, and (the) Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year,\u201d Barty said in a statement to Australian Associated Press on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to Covid-19 and I don\u2019t feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish the USTA all the best for the tournaments and I look forward to being back in the US next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Western and Southern Open is due to take place from August 15, with the US Open starting on August 31.<\/p>\n
Barty, 24, will take time to consider whether she will defend her title at the French Open, rescheduled from its usual northern spring timeslot to commence on September 27.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will make my decision on the French Open and the surrounding WTA European tournaments in the coming weeks,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Western and Southern Open has been moved from Cincinatti to the same venue as the US Open, with US tennis officials creating a coronavirus biosecurity hub at Flushing Meadows.<\/p>\n
Still, world No 2 Simona Halep and defending US Open champion Bianca Andreescu have not entered the lead-up tournament.<\/p>\n
Not only is the unravelling pandemic situation in the US a potential red flag for prospective visitors to the country, travellers must also consider having to serve a mandatory quarantine period on returning home.<\/p>\n
More than 150,000 people have died in the US from Covid-19, nearly a quarter of the world\u2019s total deaths.<\/p>\n