Goran Ivanisevic - "Novak Djokovic didn't tell anyone not to play the US Open"
Today the decision should be made whether the US Open 2020 will take place. And under what circumstances. The topic was also present at the start of the Adria Tour in Belgrade.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jun 15, 2020, 09:56 am
Goran Ivanisevic spent the weekend in Belgrade, mainly in an observing capacity. Although the Croatian has been trading as a member of Novak Djokovic's coaching staff for almost exactly a year, the latter probably coached himself three times at the start of the Adriatic Tour. The circumstances in Belgrade were extraordinary, the requirements of the Serbian government allowed fully occupied grandstands.
Such a scenario is considered impossible for the US Open. If the tournament really starts at the end of August 2020, then it will be under very special conditions that some athletes will not be happy about beforehand. One of them is Djokovic, who made no secret of the fact that he sees himself rather indistinctly in a four-week barracking in an airport hotel.
Ivanisevic - "Djokovic is honest"
As number one in the world, but above all as chairman of the players' council, Djokovic naturally holds a particularly exposed position. The Serbian word carries weight - however, it remains to be seen to what extent Djokovic's personal assessment will prevent players from competing in a Grand Slam tournament.
In any case, Goran Ivanisevic broke a lance for his protégé in Belgrade. “Novak is honest,” said the 2001 Wimbledon winner. “I think people automatically object if someone is honest. And Novak simply gave its opinion on the US Open. He didn't tell anyone that he shouldn't play. ”You should inquire about Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev .
Nadal and Halep skeptical
How the two German-speaking exceptional players think about participating in New York City is still unknown. Other top executives have already spoken critically, such as Rafael Nadal . Or Simona Halep , whose coach Darren Cahill had arranged that the proposed measures would not work for his player.
And so the tennis world is looking forward to the USTA, which wants to announce its plans this Monday. It should not be helpful here that the governor of the State of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has threatened to enforce stronger restrictions in public life again given the increasing number of COVID 19 cases.