US Open ‘impossible’ to play, says Djokovic
Novak Djokovic, the world No1, claims it would be “impossible” to play the US Open this summer under the “extreme” safety protocols proposed for the tournament.
The men’s ATP Tour and the women’s WTA Tour are suspended until Aug 1, with Wimbledon cancelled and some tournaments after then scrapped as well.
The US Open is due to begin on Aug 31 at Flushing Meadows in New York, but there are serious doubts over the major going ahead because of the coronavirus crisis.
The United States Tennis Association has proposed various ideas on how the tournament may happen behind closed doors, including having players travel to New York on charter flights from just a handful of cities. However, some players have voiced concerns, with Rafael Nadal, the world No2, saying earlier this week that he was not prepared to travel abroad for tournaments due to global health fears and quarantine restrictions.
Djokovic, a three-time winner of the tournament, has echoed Nadal’s doubts about participation, in particular pointing to the safety restrictions imposed, including a ban on travel to Manhattan and being allowed only one person with him.
“I had a telephone conversation with the leaders of world tennis, there were talks about the continuation of the season, mostly about the US Open due in late August, but it is not known whether it will be held,” the Serb told Prva, a Serbian television network. “The rules that they told us that we would have to respect to be there, to play at all, they are extreme. We would not have access to Manhattan, we would have to sleep in hotels at the airport, to be tested twice or three times per week.
“Also, we could bring one person to the club, which is really impossible. I mean, you need your coach, then a fitness trainer, then a physiotherapist.” The ATP and WTA will decide on the fate of the US Open on June 15.