Overwhelming favorite Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a 18th Grand Slam name on Monday when a unique, spectatorless US Open launches into a COVID-19 quarantine bubble at Flushing Meadows.
The world number one is on the opening day cover of a tennis primary that promises to look like no other and misses several of the most sensitive players because of fears of coronavirus.
Djokovic takes on the no-elected Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a first-round night match at a Arthur Ashe stadium that, in years, is bullish with 23,000 screaming fans.
But because of strict measures to prevent COVID-19 from entering the U.S. National Tennis Center, it would not be possible to do so.U.S., Only players, officials and a handful of media will see it on the user this year.
“It’s to see,” Djokovic said, crediting his love of gambling on the New York courts in Ashe, which he described as “the most dynamic and explosive throw” of the match.
“The cases are very unusual, however, we have to deal with them and check to settle for them,” the Serbian superstar added.
Novak Djokovic is the guy to beat at the 2020 US Open Photo: GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / MATTHEW STOCKMAN
The US Open marks the first Grand Slam of the coronavirus era, and the first since the Australian Open in January and February, after the global pandemic ended much of the season, Wimbledon.
Players are kept in a strictly controlled environment to minimize the threat of infection and are given a coronavirus test throughout the tournament.
The men’s draw stopped on the eve of the tournament on Sunday when Frenchman Benoit Paire retired after the organizers announced that an unidentified player had been withdrawn after testing positive for COVID-19.
According to New York State rules, any player who tests positive will be eliminated without delay and will have to isolate themselves for at least 10 days.
Most of the competition is held in express hotels and no place other than the tournament venue and accommodation is allowed.
Some players, adding Djokovic, have rented personal homes that will have to be guarded 24 hours a day for security to safeguard the quarantine bubble.
Japan’s Naomi Osaka’s participation in the US Open 2020 is in doubt due to Photo: AFP / JOSE JORDAN
Parts of the tennis center courts were moved to makeshift hospital rooms, the worst of the New York pandemic in April.
Intensive cleaning and security protocols have been put in place before US Open players enter the bubble.
And the amount of staff for each competitor is limited, as are the number of players who can enter the locker room at any time.
Players are asked to wear a mask when they are not in the box and wash their hands regularly.
The absence of protective champion Rafael Nadal and Swiss legend Roger Federer gives Djokovic a chance to gain ground over his rivals in the all-time Grand Slam name race.
Djokovic, the wisest seed and three-time US Open winner, who has won five of the last seven Grand Slam crowns, has 17 slams, Nadal with 19 and Federer with 20.
Also in Ashe on Monday, the most sensible seed, Karolina Pliskova, faces the 145th-seeded Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka is also scheduled to play, but is in doubt due to a left-hamstring injury that forced her to withdraw from Saturday’s WTA final in New York.
Serena Williams is vying for a women’s Grand Slam singles crown of career that is equivalent to Margaret Court’s all-time record set on Tuesday.
The number one of the women, Ashleigh Barty, and the protective champion, Bianca Andreescu, are among the most sensible women who are skipping the occasion due to considerations about coronavirus.