Tennis Canada announced Thursday afternoon the identity of the four players who will benefit from a pass for the main draw of the Open National Bank of Montreal. However, it’s more Novak Djokovic’s absence that grabs the attention.
Posted at 1:36 p.m.
As Djokovic has never confirmed that he was vaccinated and has no legal evidence to prove it, the Serb should have undergone a 14-day quarantine before playing the National Bank Open in Montreal. What he didn’t want to do and that’s why the sixth player in the world withdrew from OBN.
It also means, by the same token, that his chances of competing in the US Open are dwindling, given that the US tournament also requires vaccination status.
Tennis Canada also announced that German Oscar Otte, 41e world player, gave up the tournament. Thus, the no less controversial Nick Kyrgios, finalist at the last Wimbledon tournament, secured his place in the main draw of the tournament. Ditto for the French Benjamin Bonzi, 51e world racket.
Two invited Canadians
Tennis Canada also took the opportunity to announce that Canadians Alexis Galarneau, from Laval, and Vasek Pospisil, had received an invitation to participate in the tournament, without having to go through the qualifications.
Same goes for grand slam champion and three-time tournament winner Andy Murray who earned a bye. Belgian David Goffin also earned his place in the main draw.