Top German official quashes rumors of Novak Djokovic & other top stars boycotting US Open

After Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from this year's US Open, there has been plenty of speculation about whether World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will also skip the tournament - despite being on the entry list.

To add fuel to the fire, Spanish publication Marca recently reported that Novak Djokovic and the other top 20 players are thinking of boycotting the American hardcourt season this year. However, Vice President of the German Tennis Federation Dirk Hordorff has quashed those rumors.

Novak Djokovic will play the US Open: Dirk Hordorff

Novak Djokovic at the 2018 US Open

As reported by Eurosport, Hordorff was a part of the video conference during which a decision was made by the players. He said that despite there being some animosity over the cancellation of the Madrid Masters and the Washington Open, there will be no intentional 'strike'.

"I was in the call. There can be no talk of a threatened strike," asserted Hordorff.

Marca had earlier reported that Novak Djokovic, as the ATP Player Council president, had demanded to know what the quarantine rules would be like for foreign players who return to Europe after the US Open. The report had further alleged that the top 20 players were threatening to boycott the US Open if the quarantine rules weren't relaxed.

Hordorff, however, revealed that while the players were visibly upset over the quarantine issues, they wouldn't intentionally miss the Cincinnati Masters (in New York) or the US Open.

"Of course the players want to return from the USA without quarantine," said Hordorff. "Everything was settled until the tournament in Madrid was canceled. With Kitzbuhel there is probably a solution, now we have to see how it is with Rome. That is a to-do list item."

"We are in an ongoing pandemic with constantly changing situations," continued the German. "You have to have the flexibility right now, even if that's not pleasant. Because that means late decisions."

Novak Djokovic has been tipped by many to skip the US Open due to these incessant issues, even though he has been practicing on hardcourts at his residence in Marbella. He had also ordered the US Open match balls for his training, suggesting that his participation in the New York Slam was on the table.

Hordorff's comments have now given more credence to that idea. At the moment, it seems likely that Novak Djokovic will be present in New York despite prominent cancellations including, but not limited to, Ash Barty, Rafael Nadal, Elina Svitolina, Kiki Bertens and Stan Wawrinka.