US Open: The US Open, the year’s final Grand Slam, starts next week, but according to Novak Djokovic, he will be unable to make the trip.
Due to current US regulations requiring travellers to provide confirmation of full vaccination to board flights and enter the country, Djokovic, who has opted not to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, will miss the tournament.
“Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open,” Djokovic wrote on Twitter. “Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again.”
Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. ❤️ Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. 💪🏼 See you soon tennis world! 👋🏼
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 25, 2022
Additionally, he was unable to successfully defend his Australian Open title this year due to his deportation from the nation in January due to his immunisation status.
The Serb previously stated that he was ready to skip Grand Slam competitions if players must receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
Prior to his social media post and the US Open’s announcement on Thursday in the middle of the day, Djokovic was listed as a competitor in the New York tournament.
Novak Djokovic withdrew from the US Open prior to the draw, according to the tournament’s organisers, who also made it clear that the official seeding list is not determined until the draw is conducted.
Due to Djokovic’s withdrawal, a lucky loser was added to the draw because the qualifying event had already started.
Stacey Allaster, the US Open tournament director, said: “Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 US Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal government’s vaccination policy for non-US citizens. We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open.”
On July 10, after defeating Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final, Djokovic remarked he would dearly want to compete in Flushing Meadows’ final Grand Slam competition of the year.
Around three weeks later he posted on social media he was holding out hope of getting the chance to play and wrote: “I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US. Fingers crossed!”
The competition’s draw will be made later on Thursday, and play will begin on Monday sans Djokovic.
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