Players serve up English in Open interviews

NEW YORK: There are 50 countries and regions represented at the US Open, yet tennis organizers said on Wednesday they do not have a problem with players unable to give interviews in English - unlike the LPGA Tour.

Nick Imison, director of communications for the International Tennis Federation, said there has been no need for the sort of initiative taken recently by the US women's golf circuit requiring players to be able to speak English.

"There isn't an issue at this year's US Open of players not speaking English, and those that don't speak English fluently still attempt to speak enough English to be able to conduct press conferences in that language," he said.