US Open from Aug 31 minus fans, says NY Guv, Andrew Cuomo

THERE is heartening news for those eagerly awaiting to watch US open 2020 from August 31on TV, smartphones and other gadgets after the games Big  Three announced their participation in the long-awaited sporting event. Novak Djokovic has  confirmed he will play in  the Grand Slam tournament and the hard-court tune-up preceding it in New York, one of the worst affected places in the United States battling  to combat COVID-19.“It was not an easy decision to make with all the obstacles and challenges on many sides,” said the No 1-ranked Djokovic, who has recovered with his wife after tested positive for the coronavirus. The prospect of competing again makes me really excited, he said. The US Open is set to commence on  August 31minus spectators. Before that, the Western & Southern Open — normally held in Cincinnati — will be played at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, starting August 22. Djokovic has won three of his 17 Grand Slam titles at the US Open and was the runner-up there five times. He hopes to narrow the gap between him and the only two men with more major trophies – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic,33, is the first Serbian player to be ranked No. 1 by the ATP and the first male player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam singles title. He is a six-time ITF World Champion and a five-time ATP year-end No. 1 ranked player. In the tennis world, he remains a major crowd- puller because of his iconic image. Governor Cuomo says in a statement his plan is to re-open New York State focusing on people to promote to resume normal life and easing social isolation without compromising the ongoing battle against the spread of the virus.