Juniors Staying Home--Fear of Terrorism

The U.S. Tennis Assn. will not send young Americans to the first two Grand Slam tournaments, a spokesman said.

“We can’t take the responsibility of exposing young people to the risk,” said Ed Fabricius, the USTA director of communications.

“It’s a sad situation, but the feeling at the moment is that as Americans we are targets for terrorism or demonstrations wherever we go, and it’s particularly difficult when you’re dealing with youngsters,” Fabricius said.

Because of the threats of terrorism, the USTA is not sending young players to the Italian Open in Rome, the French Open in Paris and Wimbledon in England.

Fabricius said it also was decided not to enter a team in this year’s Galea Cup, a junior boys competition that is played in Greece and France in July.