Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic withdraws from US Open as he can’t travel to United States

Novak Djokovic, the 21-time significant champion and former planet No. 1, has withdrawn from the US Open thanks to travel constraints into the United States as a consequence of currently being unvaccinated in opposition to COVID-19.

Djokovic created the announcement Thursday early morning, shortly prior to the draw was to be uncovered, tweeting, “Sadly, I will not be able to vacation to NY this time for US Open up.”

He wished luck to his fellow gamers and stated he would “keep in great form and optimistic spirit and wait for an chance to compete once more.”

Unfortunately, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open up. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of really like and support. ❤️ Great luck to my fellow gamers! I’ll preserve in fantastic condition and positive spirit and hold out for an chance to compete once again. 💪🏼 See you soon tennis planet! 👋🏼

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 25, 2022

Just after profitable Wimbledon in July, Djokovic had mentioned he experienced hoped the United States would modify its insurance policies, enabling him to enjoy at the year’s final big, and appeared to be schooling for the match. He posted a video to Instagram on July 30 of himself working towards on a really hard courtroom.

“I am making ready as if I will be authorized to compete, while I await to listen to if there is any room for me to journey to [the] US,” he wrote together with the clip.

But Djokovic was pressured to withdraw from very last week’s Western & Southern Open, as he was even now barred from entry, as very well as the Nationwide Financial institution Open up previously this thirty day period due to Canada’s comparable constraints.

On Wednesday, the Facilities for Illness Regulate and Prevention’s assistance on international travel was updated to say: “Non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: You have to show evidence of staying completely vaccinated with the key collection of an acknowledged COVID-19 vaccine just before you board your flight to the United States. Only restricted exceptions use.”

Claimed Stacey Allaster, the US Open match director, in a assertion: “Novak is a wonderful champion and it is really unfortunate that he will be not able to contend at the 2022 US Open, as he is not able to enter the country due to the federal government’s vaccination coverage for non-U.S. citizens. We search ahead to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open up.”

It has been a hard calendar year for Djokovic, who gained 3 major titles in 2021. Right after getting a healthcare exemption to engage in in the Australian Open up in January and arriving in the country, he was embroiled in an worldwide authorized struggle that resulted in him owning his visa revoked and becoming deported from the country before the tournament obtained underway. He was not able to defend his title and later on manufactured it obvious he was ready to skip tournaments that necessary him to be vaccinated in purchase to engage in or enter the respective region.

“Of course, that is the cost that I’m keen to pay out,” Djokovic explained in a February job interview with the BBC.

Djokovic performed in just just one event, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, just before the clay part of the year begun in April. He was replaced atop the rankings by Daniil Medvedev for the first time in February. Djokovic reclaimed the No. 1 spot the pursuing thirty day period but lost it once more in June.

He gained his initial title of the yr in Rome in May perhaps but was not able to defend his French Open title, getting rid of to eventual winner Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. Djokovic earned his fourth straight trophy at the All England Club previous thirty day period but gained no position points for his attempts as a consequence of the ban on Russian and Belarusian gamers. He fell to No. 7 in the rankings right after the match and is now No. 6.

Acquiring arrived at the ultimate at the 2021 US Open, Djokovic will eliminate an further 1,200 factors and his ranking will fall even more at the summary of the event.

Djokovic is up coming anticipated to enjoy for the Serbian team at the Davis Cup or for the European staff at the Laver Cup. Rating factors are not awarded at possibly function. There are no tournaments outlined on his existing plan on his web site.

A lucky loser from qualifying will change Djokovic in the draw.

Amongst the other players who will not be at the US Open for a variety of good reasons are No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev, the 2020 runner-up in New York 2016 champion Angelique Kerber 2019 French Open up finalist Marketa Vondrousova Gael Monfils and Reilly Opelka.

Enjoy is scheduled to commence at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Monday.

The Connected Push contributed to this report.