Inkriql Posted January 6, 2020 Posted January 6, 2020 For the Serbian Novak Djokovic, number 2 of the ranking, the organizers of the Australian Open should study a postponement of the first Grand Slam of the season if the fires that affect the country, and that have already caused 24 dead, threaten the health of the players . "If conditions are reached that affect the health of the players, I think it should be studied" a postponement of the tournament, scheduled from January 20 to February 2 in Melbourne, said Djokovic, president of the ATP Players Council, which It will meet before the start of the Australian Grand Slam. "It is probably the last option that arises and that the organizers will do everything possible not to postpone it," said Djokovic, present in Brisbane (Eastern Australia) to participate in the ATP Cup, the new team competition. Djokovic admitted that "a postponement is difficult because there is a calendar to respect (...) and that there is a lot at stake, but health is a concern for me and for everyone." Since September, 24 people have died in the different fires that have calcined an area equivalent to twice Belgium and forced the authorities to order the evacuation of some 100,000 inhabitants of the Australian Southeast. These fires are having an impact in big cities like Melbourne and Sydney, in which the air becomes irrespirable by the fires surrounding these cities. Forest fires in Australia left 24 dead so far Forest fires in Australia left 24 dead so far The world tennis calendar, which at the beginning of the year is traditionally installed in Australia, has already undergone changes due to fires, which the Canberra Challenger tournament, which starts on Monday, has moved to Bendigo (150 km north of Melbourne ) in an unprecedented decision. The first phase of the new ATP Cup is currently being held in Perth (west), Brisbane and Sydney (southeast). Sydney, the largest city in the country, which will host the final phase from January 9, has been living for weeks with an atmosphere contaminated by clouds of toxic smoke. 3 1
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