Novak Djokovic recovered from Covid-19 and heading to US Open
World No 1 Novak Djokovic has announced he will head to the United States to play the Cincinnati Masters and also the US Open.
Novak Djokovic has completely recovered from coronavirus and will play in the US Open beginning later this month in New York.
The world No 1, who drew significant criticism on several fronts during the early stages of the pandemic, said the decision to travel to America had not been easy given the ongoing health crisis.
But Djokovic, who will be the only one of the big three in the men’s game competing in the US this year, said he was excited by the challenge ahead.
“It was not an easy decision to make with all the obstacles and challenges on many sides, but the prospect of competing again makes me really excited,” he said.
“I’ve done all the check-ups to make sure I am fully recovered and I am ready to get back on the court fully committed to playing my best tennis.”
The eight-time Australian Open champion will be the clear favourite to claim the US title given the absence of defending champion Rafael Nadal and Swiss superstar Roger Federer.
It gives Djokovic, a three-time US Open champion, an opportunity to make further inroads on his two great rivals on the all-time list of grand slam winners.
Federer, who has not played since injuring a knee at the Australian Open, leads with 20 major titles.
Nadal, who has decided to prepare for the rescheduled French Open in late September, sits second with 19 grand slam titles.
Djokovic has closed rapidly on the pair in recent years and will be seeking his 18th major title in New York.
He acknowledged it was not an ideal situation given the ongoing COVID-19 situation has deterred some players from travelling to America. But his decision is an indication tour officials have had some success in terms of being able to arrange for players to travel from New York to Europe for the rescheduled clay court season without having to spend a fortnight in quarantine on arrival there.
This had previously been considered a stumbling block given the French Open will be held just over a fortnight after the US Open finishes.
“Unfortunately for the players and the game itself, the current situation is not allowing everyone to travel and compete at the same level of risk,” Djokovic said.
“I hope the situation changes soon and we will be all to doing what we love and do best.”
Djokovic earned the wrath of some of his peers when several players, including himself and also his wife Jelena, contracted the viral infection while competing on the Adria Tour he arranged in June.
Grigor Dimitrov, who has made the semi-finals at the Australian and US Open and also Wimbledon, was ill for a month and said he still has days where he feels lethargic.
The Serbian superstar issued an apology as the fallout from the tour, which was arranged as a fundraising event, worsened.
Australian Nick Kyrgios, who will not play in America, was among the strongest critics of Djokovic.
Djokovic was previously criticised when stating he would be reluctant to be vaccinated against coronavirus should a vaccine be created.
He will arrive in New York in time to play the Cincinnati Masters, which has been relocated to Flushing Meadows and will be held the week before the US Open.
Competitors in the tournaments in New York will be required to follow strict biosecurity protocols during their stint in the US.
The majority of players will stay in select hotels on Long Island, though some competitors will be allowed to rent their own house, provided they pay for 24-hour security to ensure protocols are followed.
I’m happy to confirm that I‘ll participate at #CincyTennis and #USOpen this year. It was not an easy decision to make with all the obstacles and challenges on many sides, but the prospect of competing again makes me really excited 😃💪🼠https://t.co/qgxSTHrKK4 pic.twitter.com/tg6rgwfFqm
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 13, 2020
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