Novak Djokovic confirmed on Thursday he will play at the US Open, ending speculation about his presence at the first Grand Slam tournament since the coronavirus restart.
“I’m happy to
confirm that I‘ll participate at #CincyTennis and #USOpen this year,” Djokovic
tweeted.
“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,” the 17-time Grand Slam
winner added.
The US Open is due
to get underway behind closed doors in New York on August 31.
It is preceded by
the Western and Southern Open, which is normally played in Cincinnati but has
been moved to New York this year.
Djokovic’s decision
to take part in the US Open is a major boost for the tournament after a host of
headline names pulled out.
The list of
absentees includes four-time champion Rafael Nadal and woman’s world number one
Ashleigh Barty.
Djokovic was
heavily criticised after hosting a charity tennis event in the Balkans in June
at which he and a number of players tested positive for COVID-19.
