Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are probably the top favorites at the upcoming US Open and the great news is that they and their colleagues will no need to be quarantined when they go back from the US to Italy.
There are many doubts among the players about their participation in the American major not only because of the safety concerns but also and especially because of the possible need to be quarantined when back in Europe. The problem was solved after the Spanish government declared that professional athletes could avoid being quarantined when coming to Spain for international events. The Madrid Mutua Open was meant to be the next big tournament after the US Open. Unfortunately, its cancellation made things complicated again.
No quarantine in Italy
The good news is that a recent decree signed on the 7th of August by the Italian Prime Minister stated that athletes participating in international competitions organized by the competent bodies will not have to be quarantined if they tested negative not earlier than 48 hours before their arrival in Italy.
This means that players coming back from the US or elsewhere can play the Internazionali D’Italia in Rome without being quarantined (if tested negative). This will make it easier for the players to go and compete in New York.
“In order to allow the regular conduct of national and international sports competitions organized on the Italian territory by national sports federations, associated sports disciplines or sports promotion bodies recognized by CONI or by the CIP, and which provide for the participation of athletes, technicians and accompanying persons from countries for which entry into Italy is prohibited or for which quarantine is envisaged, the latter, before entering Italy, must have carried out a nasopharyngeal swab to check the state of health, the outcome of which must be indicated in the declaration referred to in article 5, paragraph 1, and verified by the carrier in accordance with article 7.
This test must not be earlier than 48 hours from arrival in Italy and the interested parties, to be authorized to enter Italy, must be in possession of the outcome and certifies its negativity and reports the personal data of the person subjected to the test for any checks. In the event of a negative result, the individual members of the delegation are authorized to take part in the international sports competition on the Italian territory, in accordance with the specific protocol adopted by the sporting body organizing the event.”
Novak Djokovic in 2020
At the moment ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 29th of February when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the final in Dubai to win his 79th career title.
This season Novak has a 18-0 win-loss record. Novak has won 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.
Serena Williams in 2020
Now the world no.9, the American played her last match on the 8th of February when she surrendered to Anastasija Sevastova 7-65 3-6 7-64 in the Rubber 4 of the Fed Cup.
Currently, this year Serena has a 8-2 win-loss record. Serena Williams conquered 1 title in Auckland.
