US Open 2020 and Novak Djokovic

The 2020 US Open and Novak Djokovic

It appears that the USTA is determined to stage the US Open as scheduled in COVID City, sorry New York City, starting late August.

Great news for tennis fans, well those able to watch via television, or alternative media. Because just a couple of months out, this Grand Slam tournament will be contested on courts without crowds.

The pandemic is still enjoying itself more than New Yorkers, despite what some natives would have you believe, and there are many tennis players beyond the home of the brave, who are understandably reticent to travel over oceans to swing racquets in an environment where the hideous virus transmits quicker then a John Isner serve.

Those who are vocal in their doubts of attending, or just critical of proceeding with the event, include the world #1 Novak Djokovic, and two Australians Nick Kyrgios and John Millman.

The thoughts of Kyrgios have been condemned , well mainly because he is Nick, but Djokovic has been the target for the most wide ranging attack, including narrow minded personal abuse on occasion.

All these three have suffered a backlash from players, not surprisingly almost all American, who claim a selfish motive on the part of Djokovic, because of his frown upon restrictions on numbers each is able to bring as an accompaniment.

Never mind that he and others from Europe, Asia, Australia, etc., have health concerns for their families, which would and should be the number one priority in decision making.

The media especially has been harsh towards Djokovic, damning him not just for comments re the US Open, but also for the Adria Tour which he recently organised - a successful clay court exhibition series of tournaments beginning in Serbia, featuring him, together with invited players including retired Jelena Janković and others from Serbia, and Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov.

It was to bring back some tennis, and importantly raise money for charity. However, the only thing most media wanted to highlight, including ex players such as Chris Evert and Paul Annacone, was the lack of social distancing.

They don’t like Djokovic, and will take any opportunity to bring him down, despite the general tennis public welcoming him on and off the court. Novak knows that the Federer adoration factor is a once in a lifetime thing, so comparisons to that are ludicrous.

Novak Djokovic and his foundation deserve more praise than ridicule.

And the US Open should be classified unofficial unless the next two months provide a New York City miracle.