Australian Open 2021 to Host 50% Audience, Says Novak Djokovic

After losing to Daniil Medvedev in his previous encounter, Novak Djokovic won his final group stage match to qualify for the semifinals of the ATP Nitto Finals. Playing a ‘do or die’ match, Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev in straight sets and is two victories away from lifting the season-ending championships for a record sixth time.

During the post-match conference, Djokovic claimed that regardless of the truncated tennis season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the players have featured in multiple tournaments since the tour’s resumption. Despite withdrawing from the Rolex Paris Masters, Djokovic has played in six tournaments since August, including the ATP Nitto Finals.

“We played a lot of tournaments considering we had a six months gap in between. We played three of the four major tournaments,” said Djokovic.

The World No.1 has reached three finals since the tour’s resumption, winning two of them at the Cincinnati Masters and Italian Open. Despite losing to Rafael Nadal at the French Open final, Djokovic has clinched the year-end No.1 ranking for a record sixth time in his career.

Novak Djokovic optimistic about AO

Having won the 2020 Australian Open by outlasting Dominic Thiem in a thrilling five-setter, Djokovic is hopeful of playing under the crowds at Melbourne Park next year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most tournaments have not allowed spectators to the stadiums.

However, the 17-time Grand Slam champion revealed he has heard that the 2021 Australian Open will allow crowds to a fifty percent capacity. Djokovic tops the leader’s board with a record eight Australian Open titles and will aim to add another major to his tally in January next year.

“If we play in Australia, I am hearing that we will play with at least 50 percent capacity,” remarked Djokovic, after his victory over Zverev.