Fears that every member of the Big Three could miss the US Open have been eased after it emerged that Novak Djokovic has put his name down to play in an additional event in the country.
The world No.1 has entered into the doubles draw of the Western and Southern Open where he is set to play alongside compatriot Filip Krajinovic. This year’s tournament has been relocated from Cincinnati to the Billie Jean Tennis Center in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will take place a week before the US Open gets underway.
Djokovic is yet to give a definitive answer about whether or not he would be playing at this year’s Grand Slam amid a series of top names pulling out over travelling and health concerns. Rivals Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka have opted to miss the event. Meanwhile, on the women’s tour Ash Barty, Kiki Bertens and Elina Svitolina have officially withdrawn.
Last week Serbian website Sport Klub said that a decision would be made ‘soon.’ A recent concern raised by Djokovic and other players was quarantine issues. There has been assurances that players will not have to self-isolate upon arrival but there has been less clarity about their return to Europe. However, these concerns have recently been eased following an announcement by the Italian government. Italy will hold the next Masters 1000 event two weeks after the US Open ends.
“In order to allow all national and international sport competitions planned on Italian soil to take place, whether they are organized by National Federations, sport disciplines or institutions associated or recognized by CONI [Italian Olympic Committee], if those competitions require the participation by athletes, coaches and helpers arriving from countries that would not permit their entry into Italy or for whom a quarantine period would be required, these people would need to verify their health status through a PCR test the results of which will need to be included in the declaration as per Article 5, Comma 1, and verified by the commercial carrier as per Article 7. This test shall be performed no later than 48 hours before the arrival in Italy and in order to be admitted into Italy, these people shall be in possession of a document certifying the negative result to that test and including their personal data for inspection. In case of a negative result of the test, each component of the delegation will be allowed to take part to the intended sport competition on Italian soil, provided they follow the specific health protocol put in place by the organizers of said event.” The latest government guidelines state.
Prior to the five-month break of tennis due to the pandemic, Djokovic started 2020 unbeaten by winning 18 matches in a row. He claimed titles at the ATP Cup, Australian Open and Dubai Tennis Championships. He currently leads the ATP rankings by 370 points ahead of his nearest rival Rafael Nadal.
The US Open will start of August 31st.
