Novak Djokovic: 'May have to delay Australian Open if wildfire smoke haze worsens'

World number two vak Djokovic has stated that calendar year's inaugural grand slam, Australian Open, might have to be postponed by a few days so that players' health is t affected. Serbian's comments come at backdrop of wildfires in Australia that have been raging for months and have resulted in huge loss to life and property. 

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'A health concern'

Djokovic, who is President of ATP Players' Council, said that re was a possibility of postponement and it h to be considered.  “You have to consider it because of some extreme wear or conditions. That’s probably very, very last option. (But) if it comes down to ... conditions affecting health of players, you have to consider it."

He ded that his team is speaking to Tennis Australia CEO and Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley regarding same. "People from my team have spoken to Craig Tiley, y are obviously tracking situation every day as it is evolving. If it continues same way and quality of air is affected in Sydney I think Tennis Australia will be forced to create some rules about it. It is tough for m because schedule has to be respected, Australian Open starts at a certain time so re are a lot of things involved. But a health concern is a health concern for anybody."

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wildfires in Australia have le to thousands of people losing ir homes and more than 450 million animals have lost ir lives. Around 20 people have lost ir lives and Scott Morrison, Prime Minister has been facing criticism for going on a holiday with his family and t taking eugh steps to solve issue. 

Tennis officials last week took unprecedented decision to relocate Canberra International — an ATP Challenger 125 event and on women's ITF World Tennis Tour, which serves as a stepping stone to full tour. y said play would t have been possible in Australian capital which has been choked by smoke, with tournament w due to start Monday at Bendigo in Victoria.

On Saturday, government anunced that 3,000 Army, Navy and Air Force reservists will be deployed to battle against fires. A commitment of $14 million to leasing fire-fighting aircraft from overseas was also me.

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