Happy to confirm that I will participate at the Cincinnati Open and US Open: Novak Djokovic

World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he will participate at the US Open 2020 and the Cincinnati Open, better known as the Western & Southern Open.

Djokovic, who had organised the ill-fated Adria Tour along with his brother earlier this year, wrote on social media that he will travel to New York despite the coronavirus threat in USA.

"I am happy to confirm that I will participate at the Western & Southern Open and US Open this year.

"It was not an easy decision to make with all the obstacles and challenges on many sides, but the prospect of competing again makes me really excited.

"During my career, I have played some of my best matches at the USTA Billie Jean King National tennis center.

"I am aware that this time around it will be very different with all the protocols and safety measures that are put in place to protect players and people of NY.

"Nevertheless, I have trained hard with my team and got my body in shape so I am ready to adapt to new conditions. I’ve done all the check-ups to make sure I am fully recovered and I am ready to get back on court fully committed to playing my



best tennis," Djokovic said in a statement.

The Western & Southern Open will be played at Flushing Meadows between August 22-28, followed by the US Open from August 31. Both tournaments will be played without fans in attendance.

Djokovic's decision will come as a major relief for the US Open organisers after several high-profile players, including former winners Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka, pulled out over issues related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

But it is also a U-turn from Djokovic after his June statements that competing at the 2020 U.S. Open would be "impossible" due to "extreme" COVID-19 protocols for the tournament at Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic had tested positive for coronavirus after participating in the Adria Tour in June during which three other players also contracted the deadly disease. The Serbian faced flak from all quarters after images and videos of the players hugging at the net, playing basketball together and partying at the tournament were posted on social media.

Djokovic, fellow Serb Viktor Troicki, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and Croatian Borna Coric all tested positive for the virus and the event had to be called off.