Australian Open crowds at 10% capacity would be a boon, says Djokovic

World primary Novak Djokovic mentioned he hopes followers will probably be allowed to show up in numbers for the Australian Open in January regardless that spectators are nonetheless barred from most stadiums amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ever because the tour resumed after the COVID-19 stoppage, nearly all of occasions have been performed in empty stadiums, with a choose few permitting followers in few numbers to attend with social distancing protocols in place to curb the unfold of the virus.

“If Australia happens, I’m hearing that we are going to have at least 50% of the capacity of the stadium. That’s a lot, I think even 10% would be huge for us at this stage,” Djokovic mentioned after shifting into the semis of the ATP Finals in London.

“Just hearing the applause and hearing the fans and sensing their energy and their emotion and their kind of excitement for being there and cheering you on on the court, that’s something that I think we’re all missing.”

Rod Laver Arena is the most important at Melbourne Park with a most capability of 15,000 adopted by Melbourne Arena (9,646) and Margaret Court Arena (7,500).

Defending champion Djokovic, who has gained the Australian Open a file eight occasions, mentioned he hoped the sensation of “walking into an empty stadium” can be non permanent however was glad they had been capable of resume the season this yr regardless of the pandemic.

“Strange is probably the right word to describe the season, but nevertheless I still feel like we played a lot of tournaments considering we had a six-months gap in the middle of the season,” he added.

“We still managed to play three out of four Grand Slams and the ATP Finals and some big Masters 1000 events like Cincinnati and Rome.”