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'Never seen worse': Fans rage after 'awful' scenes rock US Open

Fans lined up for hours (pictured left) at the US Open in horrendous heat (pictured right) due to new Covid-19 security measures at the US Open.
Fans were forced to line up for hours in horrendous heat (pictured right), due to new Covid-19 security measures at the US Open (pictured left), which sparked chaos. (Images: @Sapnaasha/@lethalsital)

Fans have been eagerly awaiting their chance to attend the US Open after a two-year wait, but thousands were left fuming over 'awful' scenes ahead of the Grand Slam.

The 2021 US Open kicked-off with the exciting news fans, who have been double vaccinated, would be able to attend the final Grand Slam of the year after Covid-19 forced the tournament to be held with no spectators last year.

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This prompted thousands to make their way to Flushing Meadows for the start at 11am.

However, new protocols requiring attendees to show vaccination cards and go through metal detectors sparked chaos.

Thousands were greeted with two-hour long queues, in sweltering heat, as fans were still waiting to enter the park at 1.30pm.

To make matters worse, leading tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg said a woman had collapsed in the heat.

Fans queuing took to social media to blast tennis officials for the queues, during the Covid-19 pandemic, after missing matches.

Others took aim at the chaotic scenes on the opening day.

A line formed at the South Gate entrance, which stretched more than 350m long and had nearly 5,000 spectators waiting.

The scenes sparked concerns over Covid-19 on the first day of the tournament.

Lines began to dissipate around 1.30pm, before the US Open released a statement about the mayhem.

US Open's new Covid-19 vaccine protocol

This year's US Open will see tennis fans 12 years or olde required to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccine in order to attend the Grand Slam.

Just three days before the main draw is set to begin, the New York City mayor's office on Friday mandated proof of vaccine to enter Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main venue for primetime matches.

The United States Tennis Association then elected to extend the vaccine requirement to all attendees 12 years old or older at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, regardless of which facilities ticketholders plan to access.

"Any US Open attendee with tickets to Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand, or the grounds of the US Open, will be required to provide proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine," the USTA said in a statement.

with AAP

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