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Published 14:28 IST, January 6th 2020

Novak Djokovic calls for Australian Open 2020 to be postponed in wake of bushfire crisis

Novak Djokovic said that the organisers should consider the delay of the first Grand Slam event of 2020 if the haze from bushfires threatens players’ health.

Reported by: Akhil Nambiar
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World No. 2 Novak Djokovic expressed fear for the players who will be heading for Australian Open soon. He said that the organisers should consider postponing the first Grand Slam event of 2020 if the haze from bushfires threatens players’ health. The Australian Open is scheduled to start by January 20, 2020, at Melbourne Park. Meanwhile, the city is covered with smoke from blazes burning towards the east. The air quality seems to be compromised for a few days in Melbourne.

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Djokovic on Australia bushfire crisis

On January 5, 2020, Novak Djokovic (who is the current president of the ATP player council) said that the delay of Australian Open needs to be discussed as it can affect players’ health. He stated that it might be the last option as the organisers would try not to delay proceedings.

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24 people have reportedly died and a lot of properties have been destroyed by the catastrophic bushfires raging in Australia for a few weeks. The Serbian international stated that he has not talked to Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley yet. However, people from his team had already talked about this to him. Also, he added that the ATP players’ council will meet soon and the agenda for the meeting would be this issue.

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14:28 IST, January 6th 2020