By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday June 18, 2020
Novak Djokovic, speaking on the Eurosport Tennis Legends Podcast, has started to open up to the possibility of playing the US Open.
“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,” he said.
Djokovic has originally expressed concern about health and safety measures that he perceived to be “extreme,” but since those quotes went public it seems that the US Open has softened its stance and Djokovic is more comfortable with the situation as a result.
"It's not up to us, the players, to decide,” he said. “We will have to adapt. I'm glad to hear that we will finally be able to come with more than one person from our staff. But if it's one, it's one, if it's two, it's two, if it's three, it's three"
But Djokovic is still well aware of the difficulties posted by holding a tournament in the epicenter of the pandemic at an uncertain moment when flare-ups exist around the globe. Travel restrictions could become a concern unless things improve, he said.
“Obviously the regulations and measures as of today are quite strict, I must say. With quarantine and with some players, especially those from South America, not being able to travel out of their countries to come to the States. Hopefully that will change: the ATP and the USTA, everyone is working on it. The worst case scenario is that it remains like this, but there is time.”
He added: “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.”