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World main Novak Djokovic says he nearly skipped the US Open nevertheless plans to play the Grand Slam event no matter COVID-19 issues partly to chase tennis historic previous. Djokovic, a 17-time Grand Slam singles champion, knowledgeable the New York Times that making an attempt to catch Roger Federer’s males’s doc 20 Slam crowns was “of course” a major factor in his option to play the Flushing Meadows fortnight that begins August 31. “One of the reasons why I keep on playing professional tennis on this level is because I want to reach more heights in the tennis world,” Djokovic knowledgeable the newspaper.
The 33-year-old Serbian has obtained 5 of the earlier seven males’s singles Slam crowns nevertheless obtained right here to the New York hardcourts solely after assurances from European officers that players getting back from the US Open would not face a protracted quarantine sooner than upcoming European events such as a result of the French Open.
“I was very close to not coming,” acknowledged Djokovic, who made the last word alternative decrease than each week sooner than arriving. “There were a lot of uncertainties.”
Djokovic is staying at a rental house in New York whereas most players are in a resort as part of protocols to battle the COVID-19 pandemic that worn out numerous the yr’s events, along with Wimbledon, and might cease followers from attending the US Open.
“I want to play. I mean, that’s why I’m here,” Djokovic knowledgeable the Times.
“I am personally not afraid of being in a risky, dangerous health situation for myself. If I felt that way, I most likely would not be here.”
Federer, 39, is injured and Spain’s Rafal Nadal, 34, is absent, the 2019 US Open champion and 19-time Grand Slam singles winner specializing within the upcoming clay season and a attainable 13th crown on the Paris pink clay.
Djokovic, who has topped the world rankings for 282 weeks, would possibly overtake Federer’s doc of 310 weeks at main by March and knowledgeable the Times which may be a primary intention as correctly.
Having Djokovic chase a fourth US Open crown gives some standing to an Slam that lacks numerous the game’s best stars.
“I cannot say it’s the main reason why I’m here, but it’s one of the reasons,” Djokovic acknowledged. “First of all, I have to think about myself and my health and my fitness and whether my team is OK to be here.
“Then I, in spite of everything, moreover felt accountable as a primary participant to be proper right here. It’s essential for our sport to take care of going.”
Djokovic defends Adria Tour
Djokovic defended his decision to stage the Adria Tour charity series in June in Serbia and Croatia, which produced a cluster of coronavirus cases, including some among top players, with Djokovic positive and isolating, saying he only had mild symptoms.
“We tried to do one factor with the appropriate intentions,” Djokovic said. “Yes, there have been some steps that may have been executed in any other case. But am I going to be then ceaselessly blamed for doing a mistake?
“If I had the chance to do the Adria Tour again I would do it again.”
Djokovic worries about inserting one thing into his physique, along with doubtlessly a COVID-19 vaccine.
Promoted
“If someone is forcing me to put something in my body, that I don’t want, for me that’s unacceptable,” Djokovic knowledgeable the Times.
“I am not against vaccination of any kind, because who am I to speak about vaccines when there are people that have been in the field of medicine and saving lives around the world?”
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