Daniil Medvedev admits it will be ‘bizarre’ playing night matches at US Open without any fans

US Open

Shahida Jacobs
July 3, 2020

Daniil Medvedev is eager to return to action as soon as possible, but he admits it will be “super strange” to play at the US Open without any spectators.

Tennis is set to resume in August after a five-month hiatus due to the coronvirus pandemic with the US Open pencilled in for August 31-September 13.

The hard-court Grand Slam will become the first major to be a closed-doors event as no spectators will be allowed at Flushing Meadows due Covid-19 while strict health and safety protocols will be enforced.

Some players have admitted that they are not sure if they will travel to New York, but world No 5 Medvedev looks set to play the US Open, even if it will be a “bizarre”.

“I don’t think we can know what is going to happen in New York at that moment, and as you may have seen, some players are against very strict rules,” he told Eurosport’s Barbara Schett during an Instagram chat.

“At the same time, if you don’t have the strict rules, then there is a big chance of us getting infected or something else.

“Just talking about myself, I want to come back on the court as fast as possible and play tournaments, for the fans maybe – first it’s going to be without spectators, but for the fans all over the world in front of the TV, like soccer does.

“But as I said, it’s a tough decision, when we’re going to start because it depends on the coronavirus, of course.

“It’s going to be super strange because all of us played junior tournaments or futures, where you play maybe just with your coach and no-one else there. But it’s different, it’s a small court, it’s somewhere indoors in the middle of nowhere.

“It’s going to be different when you come to Arthur Ashe which fits 22,000 people and there’s only going to be two of your team members. I think the most bizarre thing will be playing night matches actually.”

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Daniil Medvedev