Novak Djokovic admits he will ‘think twice’ about competing at Tokyo Games if no fans are allowed

Shahida Jacobs
May 29, 2021

Novak Djokovic intends to compete at this year’s Olympics, but he admits he will reconsider his decision should the powers that be opt not to allow fans to attend the Tokyo Games.

After being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the International Olympic Committee rescheduled the Games to run from July 23 until August 8 this year.

However, there are still major doubts over the event as Japan is still struggling to come to grips with Covid-19 with some calling for the Olympics to be cancelled.

Organisers have already barred international fans from travelling to Tokyo and there have been talk that the Games could be played behind closed doors with local spectators also banned.

World No 1 Djokovic, who won bronze in the singles at the 2008 Beijing Games, admits he could change his mind about competing if fans were banned.

“I plan on playing in the Olympics, as long as fans are allowed,” he said.

“If not, I’d think twice about participating.”

Organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto has confirmed that they will make a decision about spectators soon.

“We would like to make a decision as soon as possible (on fans), but after the state of emergency is lifted we will assess,” Hashimoto said.

“There are many people who are saying that for the Olympic Games we have to run without spectators, although other sports are accepting spectators. So we need to keep that in mind.”

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Novak Djokovic