Djokovic thinking of skipping US Open for French Open prep | Inquirer Sports

Djokovic thinking of skipping US Open for French Open prep

/ 02:20 PM June 10, 2020

novak djokovic us open

FILE – In this Sept. 9, 2018, file photo, Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, returns a shot to Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, during the men’s final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. Djokovic is fretting about “harsh” restrictions on players’ entourages and other “extreme” changes proposed for the U.S. Open, if it is played starting in August. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

BELGRADE, Serbia — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic is thinking of skipping the U.S. Open — if it is played — and instead returning to competition on clay ahead of the rescheduled French Open.

Speaking to Serbia’s state broadcaster RTS on Tuesday, Djokovic said the restrictions that would be in place for the Grand Slam tournament in New York because of the coronavirus pandemic would be “extreme” and not “sustainable.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“Most of the players I have talked to were quite negative on whether they would go there,” Djokovic said. “For me currently, as things stand, most probably the season will continue on clay at the beginning of September.”

FEATURED STORIES

Like many sports, tennis went on hiatus in March because of the COVID-19 outbreak. All sanctioned tournaments have been scrapped until at least late July.

That includes the French Open, which was supposed to end last weekend but was postponed until September, and Wimbledon, which was canceled for the first time since 1945.

Article continues after this advertisement

The U.S. Tennis Association is expected to make a decision as soon as next week about whether to hold the U.S. Open. Main-draw play is scheduled to begin Aug. 31.

Article continues after this advertisement

If that tournament is played, possible precautions that Djokovic said he wouldn’t appreciate include:

Article continues after this advertisement

— a 14-day quarantine required for people arriving from outside of the U.S.

— restricted access access to courts, which he said means players “wouldn’t be able to train.”

Article continues after this advertisement

— a limit of one person per competitor at matches, instead of the larger entourages some players travel with.

— limited ability to move around New York, including keeping players at hotels near the tournament site in Queens and not letting them go to Manhattan.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

“Quite extreme conditions for playing,” Djokovic said. “I don’t think that is sustainable.”

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: Coronavirus Pandemic, Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic, Sports, Tennis, US Open

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.