On Saturday, after losing to Djokovic, Raonic, a thoughtful and urbane Canadian, accepted his trophy and congratulated Djokovic honestly, if I start out the year 3-0 I am pretty happy and then talked politics.
Its been a tough few months, he said. And Im a strong believer that were very lucky up in Canada that every single person walking on a street can feel safe. And I hope there is some serious change that goes on through the U.S., and that every Black man, woman, child can feel safe in their own community on the street.
His words reverberated through Louis Armstrong Stadium, all the more cavernous with only a few hundred spectators in the stands, all accredited personnel and players rather than fans.
It is easy to imagine more such gestures during the U.S. Open over the next two weeks. The tournament will begin quickly for Djokovic and Osaka, who are both scheduled to play their first-round matches on opening night in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
That is not much time to heal a hamstring or calm tenniss choppy political waters.
Both Osaka and Djokovic looked weary on Saturday even though this was her first tour event since January and his first since February. But this is a time like no other, just as it will be a U.S. Open like no other.
Its strange to see empty stands, Djokovic said. The circumstances are very unusual, but we have to accept that, we have to deal with it and try to embrace it.read more
Amid Tennis’s Swirling Storms, a Stubborn Djokovic Claims a Title
