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Unvaccinated Djokovic to miss US Open in NY
Former men’s world number one Novak Djokovic said he will not play in the US Open which begins on Monday (August 29) as Covid protocols mean he cannot travel to the United States.
Former world No. 1 is not vaccinated against the coronavirus and with very few exceptions the U.S. only allows vaccinated foreigners in.
It is the second Grand Slam the 35-year-old Serb will miss due to not being vaccinated as he was deported prior to the Australian Open earlier this year.
“Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open,” tweeted Djokovic, a three-time US Open champion.
Djokovic’s announcement, which was widely anticipated, came hours before the draw for the final slam of the season — organisers announced he would be replaced by a lucky loser from qualifying.
The Serbian previously said he was prepared to miss Grand Slam tournaments that require participating players to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
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
Stacey Allaster, US Open Tournament Director, regretted his absence.
“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,” she said in a statement.
“We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open.” Tennis legend John McEnroe has blasted the Djokovic ban as a “joke”.
Novak Djokovic could return to Australia sooner than expected
“At this point, in the pandemic, we’re two and a half years in, I think people in all parts of the world know more about it, and the idea that he can’t travel here to play, to me is a joke,” said McEnroe.
Ironically, during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Djokovic was allowed to compete at New York where he was champion in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
He has not played since securing a seventh Wimbledon title last month which took him to 21 Grand Slam victories, one short of Rafael Nadal’s record of 22.
Novak Djokovic had Covid infection on 16 December, lawyers say
Djokovic signed off his tweet saying he hoped to be back soon.
“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!”
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