The organizers of the Canadian tournament announced the withdrawal of the 35-year-old player on Thursday. A bad sign for the Serb three weeks before the US Open.
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“Nole” will not go to Montreal. A few days before the start of National Bank Open (August 8-14) in Canada, the tournament organizers have confirmed the withdrawal of Novak Djokovic. During a press conference held Thursday, August 4, the latter explained that the vaccination status of the 35-year-old Serbian player prevented him from returning to Canadian territory.
With the United States also requiring people to present proof of vaccination to enter the country, Djokovic, who has just won his 21st Grand Slam at Wimbledon, should not be able to take part in the fourth Major of the season in New York (August 29 to September 11).
Montreal Masters 1000 manager Eugene Lapierre said earlier this month that he did not expect Djokovic to play, given his unvaccinated status. “Either the Canadian government will change the rules regarding vaccinations or it will [Djokovic] will roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated. But I don’t think any of these scenarios are realistic.“, he explained during a press conference, Thursday, July 14.
In January 2022, “Djoko” was expelled from Australia where he was to participate in the Australian Open after a legal battle over his vaccination status. Germany’s Oscar Otte has also withdrawn, which benefits France’s Benjamin Bonzi and Australia’s Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios, who go straight into the main draw, according to Tennis Canada.