World number one Novak Djokovic appeared to row back on scepticism over plans to stage the US Open, saying on Thursday he was 'extremely happy' the Grand Slam had escaped the coronavirus cull which claimed Wimbledon and much of the season.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic gestures to the crowd after beating France's Adrian Mannarino during their men's singles fourth round match on the eighth day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 11, 2017. Djokovic won the match 6-2, 7-6, 6-4.
"I think that a lot of people were sceptical, especially for the US events considering what the US went through as a country during this pandemic," the 17-time Grand Slam winner told Eurosport's Tennis Legends podcast."We are very glad that it is happening, of course, and it is very important that we provide opportunities, we provide jobs, we provide opportunities for players to compete.
"Let's hope that in the next two months some of those restrictions will loosen up a bit and that we will have a great, great tournament."This month Djokovic had said that most players he had spoken to had"a rather negative view" about playing in New York, and predicted some would instead switch to the delayed clay court season.
The US Open will be played without fans in attendance while strict health protocols will be in place."Cheers to ATP and US Open for further perpetuating my unemployment," tweeted world number 195 Mitchell Krueger of the United States. There was also anger too at the decision not to stage a wheelchair tournament at the US Open this year.
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