Djokovic was eliminated from the US Open, unable to travel to the US due to lack of COVID vaccine
As expected, Novak Djokovic will not compete in the US Open, as he has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and is therefore not allowed to travel to the US.
Djokovic announced his withdrawal from the year’s final Grand Slam on Twitter on Thursday, hours before the draw results for the event were revealed.
“Sadly, I won’t be able to go to NY this time to attend the US Open,” Djokovic wrote, wishing luck to his teammates, adding that he would “keep in good form, optimistic spirit.” and wait for the opportunity to play again. “
The game is scheduled to begin at Flushing Meadows on Monday.
Djokovic, 35 years old from Serbia, owns 21 major championships, 1 behind Rafael Nadal. Three of Djokovic’s Slam titles have been at the US Open, in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
He was also a runner-up there half a dozen times, including last season, when his pursuit of his first calendar year Grand Slam title in men’s tennis since 1969 ended with a defeat in the final. before Daniil Medvedev.
Foreign nationals who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 cannot currently enter the US or Canada, and Djokovic said he will not be vaccinated, even if it prevents him from competing in certain tournaments.
“Novak is a great champion and it is a pity that he will not be able to compete at the US Open 2022, as he cannot enter the country due to the federal government’s vaccination policy for those who do not. must be a US resident,” said US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open,” the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said in a statement.
The USTA has said all will follow government regulations on immunization status for this year’s Open. The tournament has no mandatory vaccination requirements for players or their support teams – meaning an unvaccinated American will be allowed to compete – and spectators will not be required to wear masks. .
Djokovic missed the Australian Open in January after a lengthy legal saga ended with him being deported from that country because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. He has also attended four major tournaments in North America in 2022, including in Montreal and Cincinnati recently.
He has played at the French Open, where he lost to Nadal in the quarterfinals, and at Wimbledon, where Djokovic won the title.
After defeating Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final on July 10, Djokovic said he “would love” to take part in the final Grand Slam of the year at Flushing Meadows, but he also admitted, “I’m not planning to get vaccinated. .”
About three weeks later, Djokovic posted on social media that he was raising hopes of a chance to play at the US Open, writing: “I’m preparing as if I’ll be allowed to play, while I wait to hear if Is there any room for me to travel to the US. Crossed fingers! “
Djokovic has spent more weeks at number 1 than anyone else in ATP rankings history. He finished sixth this week, in part because no ranking points were awarded at this year’s Wimbledon.
Among the other players who will not be attending the US Open for various reasons is Alexander Zverev, who placed 2nd, 2020 runner-up in New York; 2016 Champion Angelique Kerber; Finalist of the French Open 2019 Marketa Vondrousova; Gael Monfils and Reilly Opelka.
