US Open: Novak Djokovic Comes To New York Chasing Roger Federer’s Slam Mark | Tennis News
Global primary Novak Djokovic says he just about skipped the US Open however plans to play the Grand Slam tournament regardless of COVID-19 issues partially to chase tennis historical past. Djokovic, a 17-time Grand Slam singles champion, informed the New York Occasions that looking to catch Roger Federer’s males’s file 20 Slam crowns used to be “after all” a significant factor in his determination to play the Flushing Meadows fortnight that starts August 31. “One of the most the explanation why I stay on enjoying skilled tennis in this stage is as a result of I wish to succeed in extra heights within the tennis international,” Djokovic informed the newspaper.
The 33-year-old Serbian has gained 5 of the previous seven males’s singles Slam crowns however got here to the New York hardcourts best after assurances from Eu officers that avid gamers coming back from america Open would no longer face a protracted quarantine earlier than upcoming Eu occasions such because the French Open.
“I used to be very with reference to no longer coming,” stated Djokovic, who made the overall determination lower than every week earlier than arriving. “There have been numerous uncertainties.”
Djokovic is staying at a condo space in New York whilst maximum avid gamers are in a lodge as a part of protocols to fight the COVID-19 pandemic that burnt up most of the yr’s occasions, together with Wimbledon, and can save you enthusiasts from attending america Open.
“I wish to play. I imply, that is why I am right here,” Djokovic informed the Occasions.
“I’m in my opinion no longer petrified of being in a dangerous, unhealthy well being state of affairs for myself. If I felt that manner, I perhaps would no longer be right 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 in the approaching clay season and a possible 13th crown at the Paris crimson clay.
Djokovic, who has crowned the sector scores for 282 weeks, may just overtake Federer’s file of 310 weeks at primary by way of March and informed the Occasions that could be a main function as smartly.
Having Djokovic chase a fourth US Open crown provides some status to an Slam that lacks most of the recreation’s largest stars.
“I can’t say it is the major explanation why I am right here, however it is one of the crucial causes,” Djokovic stated. “To begin with, I’ve to take into accounts myself and my well being and my health and whether or not my group is OK to be right here.
“Then I, after all, additionally felt accountable as a most sensible participant to be right here. It is necessary for our recreation to stay going.”
Djokovic defends Adria Excursion
Djokovic defended his determination to degree the Adria Excursion charity collection in June in Serbia and Croatia, which produced a cluster of coronavirus instances, together with some amongst most sensible avid gamers, with Djokovic sure and keeping apart, pronouncing he best had delicate signs.
“We attempted to do one thing with the suitable intentions,” Djokovic stated. “Sure, there have been some steps that will have been completed otherwise. However am I going to be then without end blamed for doing a mistake?
“If I had the danger to do the Adria Excursion once more I might do it once more.”
Djokovic worries about hanging anything else into his frame, together with doubtlessly a COVID-19 vaccine.
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“If anyone is forcing me to position one thing in my frame, that I do not want, for me that is unacceptable,” Djokovic informed the Occasions.
“I’m really not in opposition to vaccination of any type, as a result of who am I to discuss vaccines when there are other people which were within the box of medication and saving lives around the globe?”
