Novak Djokovic has been extremely vocal about not playing the US Open. The Serbian sensation has always stated that he is not happy with the restrictions that will be imposed to play the American slam. Novak pointed at the fact that tennis players should be requested to stay at a designated hotel and with limited staff. However, the world no.1 has recently expressed his willingness to play in New York as things seem to change. In addition, there is the tasty opportunity to win his 18th slam especially with Roger Federer out and Rafael Nadal that most probably will not compete in order to be fully prepared to play during the clay-court swing.
According to the Spanish outlet, Marca Novak will compete at the Flushing Meadows if it is guaranteed that there will be no quarantine going back from New York to Europe. This is a thorny issue. While there will be no quarantine going from Europe to the US, the opposite is not sure. It’s well known that the Coronavirus pandemic is out of control in the US. However, the state of New York has done an excellent job of containing the infection and death rate. Being quarantined after the US Open would be a huge blow for Novak (and the other players) as the ATP1000 in Madrid and Rome are scheduled to play immediately after the American major. On top of it, a 2 weeks’ stop would make it difficult for Djokovic to be fully prepared for the French Open.
The good news is that some other top players such as Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas have already expressed their commitment to play the American swing starting from Washington. You will find the best offer at betcompare as soon as the tour will get back.
Serena Williams and the others
Besides the participation of some top guns on the men’s side, the local organization will have the blessing to have some top WTA players in its line-up. The good news is that some of the most followed American players are definitely going to participate. The great Serena Williams will try to finally conquer her 24 slam so as to equal the record of Margaret Court. In addition, the US Open will have the presence of some American rising stars such as Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova alongside the Japanese Naomi Osaka that has a great following in North American especially after she conquered the Us Open back in 2018.
However, also Serena’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou, confirmed that it will be vital to understand if players need to be quarantined once back from the US. During a recent interview with tennis365, he commented to comment
“We need to find out if there will be a quarantine coming back to Europe from America. If there is, you basically have to choose between the US or the clay season in Europe. You are a professional and you need to play, but in the short term they need to pick between the US and Europe.
She’s definitely come back to tennis to win Grand Slams, that’s her goal. For a player to be out of competition is extremely difficult. So the US Open will be a first opportunity to win one. There’ll be a lot of restrictions and I have to speak with her to see if she will be able to accept and manage those expectations.”
Novak Djokovic in 2020
Currently ranked no.1, Novak 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 year the Serbian has a 18-0 win-loss record. Novak clinched 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.