Novak Djokovic will not play the next United States Open, as planned, since he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and therefore cannot travel to the United States.
Djokovic announced his withdrawal from the final Grand Slam tournament of the season on his social media on Thursday, hours before the main draws for the event were drawn.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to travel to New York this time for the US Open,” Djokovic wrote, wishing the participants the best of luck. [Je vais] keep fit and have a positive attitude while waiting for the next opportunity to play.”
The tournament is due to get under way next Monday.
The 35-year-old Serb has won 21 major tournaments, one less than Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who holds the men’s record. Three of Djokovic’s titles have been won at Flushing Meadows: in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
He has also been a runner-up half a dozen times, including last season when he failed to become the first man since 1969 to win all four Grand Slams in the same year, losing to Daniil Medvedev.
Not possible to enter the United States
Foreigners who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 cannot currently enter the United States or Canada. Djokovic said he is not going to get vaccinated, even if it prevents him from participating in some tournaments.
The American Tennis Association (USTA) has always assured that it will follow government directives regarding the vaccination status of participants in the tournament this year. There is no vaccination obligation for tournament participants or their entourage, which means that unvaccinated American players can participate. Spectators will not be required to wear masks.
“Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he cannot participate in the 2022 edition of the United States Open, since he cannot enter the country due to the government’s vaccination policy affecting foreigners, said said Stacey Allaster, Tournament Director. We hope to be able to welcome him again in 2023.”
Djokovic missed the Australian Open in January after a legal saga ended in his deportation. He was also kept out of major tournaments in North America, including the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters.
He played in the Roland-Garros tournament, losing in the quarters to Nadal, and Wimbledon, which he won.
After beating Nick Kyrgios at the All England Club on July 10, he said he would love to play in the final Major of the season, but was not planning on getting a shot.
About three weeks later, Djokovic posted on his social media that he still hoped for the chance to play at Flushing Meadows. “I am preparing as if I was going to be allowed to play. […] I keep my fingers crossed.”
Djokovic has spent more weeks at number one than anyone in history. He currently sits sixth, partly because no points were awarded at Wimbledon.
Other players who won’t be at Flushing Meadows for various reasons include world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, a 2020 runner-up in New York; 2-16 champion Angelique Kerber; Marketa Vondrousova; Gael Monfils; and Reilly Opelka.