Novak Djokovic Says his US Open Decision was Not Dependent on Rafael Nadal

Tennis, like every other sport, went into an unexpected hiatus in March thanks to the raging coronavirus pandemic. The world is still recovering from the virus; Tennis is returning to its normalcy (with some changes, of course). There are two back to back tournaments (Cincinnati Masters ad US Open) in New York where the USTA is trying its best to ensure things go smoothly. Even though many players have withdrawn from the competitions, especially in the US Open, both the defending single’s champions Rafael Nadal, and Bianca Andreescu won’t participate. Still, iconic players like Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Serena Williams will command the hardcourt.

Novak Djokovic Asserts His Love For The US Open

In a recent press conference in New York, the world’s no. 1 Djokovic was asked what made him come to New York when the other two of the Big Three did not. The reporter also asked if the possibility of winning his 18th Grand Slam motivated him for his return. Djokovic said, “I did not make my decision because Rafa pulled out. I mean, if that’s what people want to hear or I made my decision already months ago to come to the US Open and play here because I really wanted to restart on a hard court where I feel the most comfortable. That’s the surface that I have the most success on. I love playing in the US Open.”

The Serbian star said earlier how he made his decision to play just a week before coming to New York. He was tested COVID-19 positive back in June. With the strict USTA safety guidelines, travel concerns and mandatory quarantine, it was a tough decision. He said, “I did make my call to come, but I wasn’t 100% sure whether that’s going to happen or not until certain points were defined and clarified before coming here, which was, as I mentioned before, the special exemption, coming without quarantine back to Europe and so forth, few other details,” he said. “Once that was checked, and I flew over, that’s it. Every Grand Slam I play is an opportunity to get a title. I know that. But I’m not the only one. Every other player who is playing here has a chance to win it.”

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Absence Of Players Does Not Matter In The Grand Slam

Novak Djokovic also weighed in on an ongoing debate about whether it is going to be easier for other players to win the Grand Slam as many players are absent.

“Whether I have a bigger chance to win it because Roger and Rafa are not here, I really don’t know. I think it’s unfair for me to talk about. That in a way is kind of disrespectful towards other players who are here. I mean, Dominic Thiem, Zverev, Tsitsipas, Medvedev, these guys, they are as good as the top three guys, myself, Roger, Rafa. Anybody can take it, to be honest.”

Back in June, Djokovic tried to organize an exhibition tournament called ‘Adria Tour’. It was heavily criticized and eventually canceled due to a COVID outbreak.

Therefore, Novak Djokovic is confident and skeptical at the same time. Anything can happen in this never-before-seen circumstance. This is the first time any tournament is happening without a crowd. There will only be essential people present on the court.

US Open starts from August 31 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, New York.