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The yr 2020 noticed the coronavirus pandemic wreak havoc internationally, and tennis was not spared both. The tennis calendar was majorly disrupted and an try by Novak Djokovic to get the sport again up and going along with his Adria tour backfired, with gamers together with the Serb testing constructive for the virus and him and the organisers going through extreme criticism for being irresponsible. Djokovic’s yr received worse throughout the US Open, when he was disqualified after hitting a linesperson with the ball. However, the one factor the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t do was cease Rafael Nadal from successful the French Open and securing his 20th Grand Slam title, equalling Roger Federer’s document for the best variety of males’s singles Grand Slam titles.
The yr began on a constructive word for Djokovic, who efficiently defended his Australian Open title, beating Dominic Thiem in a hard-fought match. Sofia Kenin received the ladies’s singles title in Melbourne after beating Garbine Muguruza.
Soon after, the tennis calendar took successful because the coronavirus pandemic grew extra extreme. Wimbledon was cancelled for the primary time since World War II together with a number of different tournaments.
Djokovic’s Adria tour debacle
After the ATP suspended all tournaments for six weeks in March, Djokovic had proposed an exhibition event within the Balkans within the June-July interval.
The event drew criticism because it allowed spectators. The downside grew larger as a slew of individuals concerned within the event began to check constructive for COVID-19.
Grigor Dimitrov was the primary to check constructive and was adopted by Borna Coric. Victor Troicki and his pregnant spouse additionally examined constructive for coronavirus.
Djokovic, who was within the eye of the storm by this time for the poorly organised event, additionally returned a constructive take a look at alongside along with his spouse Jelena and coach Goran Ivanisevic.
Matters had been made worse when photos and movies of the gamers partying emerged on social media.
Tennis returns with the US Open
The US Open was the primary main tennis event to be held in any case occasions had been suspended as a result of pandemic. The event offered its fair proportion of drama, with World No.1 Djokovic ousted from the competitors after hitting a ball in anger, which went on to hit a linesperson.
Dominic Thiem received the boys’s singles title on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, beating Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller that lasted practically 5 hours. It marked the primary time within the US Open’s Open period historical past {that a} participant had recovered from shedding the opening two units to win the title. It was additionally the primary time the ultimate had been settled by a tie-break.
Thiem’s win was additionally noticed him develop into the primary new Grand Slam champion since Croatian Marin Cilic received at Flushing Meadows in 2014.
Nadal equals Federer’s 20
Nadal received the French Open in model, beating Djokovic in straight units to win his 20th Grand Slam title. The win noticed him equal Roger Federer for the very best variety of Grand Slam singles titles in males’s tennis.
The girls’s singles title was received by Iga Swiatek.
Federer himself didn’t take part within the US Open or French Open. He has not made an look because the coronavirus-enforced break.
Serena Williams’ bid for historical past marred by harm
Injury performed spoilsport as she chased a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title. Williams was not totally match when she misplaced to Azarenka within the US Open semi-finals. She then withdrew from the French Open in the midst of the competitors attributable to her health points.
Rankings
Promoted
Despite the controversies, Djokovic continues to guide the ATP rankings. The World No.1 is adopted by Nadal and Thiem. Daniil Medvedev, who received the ATP Finals is at fourth, adopted by Federer.
Among girls, Ashleigh Barty tops the charts, adopted by Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka.
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