- Friday, April 19, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
Twenty-one-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic on Thursday (25) pulled out of the US Open 2022, the year’s final Grand Slam starting Monday (29) saying he would not be able to travel to New York for the tournament.
The Serb, who has won the US Open thrice, was part of the official entry list but would not be able to enter the US because of his unvaccinated status. The 35-year-old, who won the Wimbledon this year, was not part of the tune-up events that were organised in the US.
This is the second Grand Slam tournament after this year’s Australian Open that Djokovic is missing due to his refusal to take vaccine against coronavirus.
“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,” Djokovic said in a statement on Twitter.
“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!”
Under the current rules in the US, travellers need to show proof of complete vaccination to board flights and enter its territory.
While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has relaxed some of its Covid-related restrictions for unvaccinated American citizens, it is still to make alterations to rules for those from abroad.
Stacey Allaster, US Open Tournament director said it’s ‘very unfortunate’ that Djokovic would not be able to travel to the US.
“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-U.S.citizens. We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open,” she said
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Djokovic in the 2021 final, will be the top seed in men’s singles at the Open followed by Rafael Nadal, who is in New York, eyeing his third Grand Slam title of the year and take his tally to 23.
