Despite expressing concerns about this year’s US Open on multiple occasions in the past, the No. 1 male tennis player in the world Novak Djokovic will take part in the tournament after all.
Djokovic revealed the news on social media, adding that he’ll also play at Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, which is scheduled to start on August 20th.
“I have trained hard with my team and got my body in shape so I am ready to adapt to new conditions,” said Djokovic. “I’ve done all the check-ups to make sure I am fully recovered, and I am ready to get back on court fully committed to playing my best tennis.”
Djokovic previously criticized the US Open organizers for strict safety and health protocols that are being planned due to coronavirus pandemic. However, after contracting the virus himself during the exhibition tournament he organized in his native Serbia, the 33-year-old player obviously changed his mind about the restrictions.
Novak Djokovic will chase his 18th Grand Slam and fourth US Open title in 2020. He’s set to have an easier path than in some previous years, as his biggest rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal decided to sit out the tournament. Federer had to skip the event due to surgery, while Nadal got out due to coronavirus concerns.
US Open is officially set to start on August 31st, and it will be the first Grand Slam tournament since the tennis season resumed.
