Western & Southern Open Tournament Director

To: Western & Southern Open and US Open Competitors From: Western & Southern Open Tournament Director and Tournament Referee; US Open Tournament Director and Tournament Referee Re: Special One-Time Allowance for Social Justice Cause Messaging 2020 has been witness to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the United States and throughout the world. The USTA is committed to promoting racial equality. We believe that if tennis is to thrive the sport must become more inclusive and must support people of color. Moreover, the USTA’s diversity and inclusion policy is one that espouses that anyone, from anywhere, should be able to play, compete, and participate in the sport, regardless of race, gender, sexual preference or any other trait. This has led to our 2020 US Open campaign which we have branded “Be Open.” The concept of “Be Open” is that when the world keeps an open mind, great things can happen and change can be accomplished. We are using this as a platform to support frontline workers, diversity and inclusion, and other important charitable initiatives. We further believe that in these unprecedented times, athletes be given the ability to express their beliefs while on court. And although Black Lives Matter is the spark for this premise, the USTA feels strongly that permitting free speech for only one particular social justice cause is not free speech at all. The USTA is therefore equally committed to permitting athletes at the 2020 US Open to express their position and support on social justice issues such as Gay pride, gender equality, etc. Therefore, for the 2020 US Open only, there will be a one-time waiver of the Grand Slam Rule Book Code of Conduct, Article III.2 relating to permissible identification on a player or player’s clothing, products or equipment, on court, before, during and after a match or at any press conference or tournament ceremony. This one-time waiver is specific to the 2020 US Open Tennis Championships only. For both the 2020 Western & Southern Open and 2020 US Open Tennis Championships, players also will be permitted to have the following: For pre-match interviews and walk-ons: Emblems, logos, symbols or written identifications expressing support of a social justice cause (“Social Justice Cause Identification”) Such Social Justice Cause Identification may appear on a player’s shirt, jacket or hat Such Social Justice Cause identifications are without size limitations Players have to remove any of this clothing (unless it complies with the identification requirements for during the match mentioned below) or hat before walking to the pre- match meeting And / or during the match: One emblem, logo, symbol or written identification expressing support of a social justice cause (“Social Justice Cause Identification”) Such Social Justice Cause Identification may appear on a player’s clothing (sleeve and for sleeveless shirts on the front) Such Social Justice Cause identification may only be 3 square inches Emblems, logos, symbols or written identifications expressing support of a social justice cause (“Social Justice Cause Identification”) without size limitation on the player's shoes The placement and content of any and all “Social Justice Cause Identifications” are subject to advance approval by the respective Grand Slam Referee, ATP or WTA Supervisor depending on the event. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated above, a Social Justice Cause Identification that in the Grand Slam Tournament Referee’s or ATP or WTA Supervisor's opinion, as applicable, constitutes hate speech, support for or opposition to any government or political campaign, or support of any other cause not in the best interest of tennis is prohibited. .

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