Due to his refusal to be vaccinated, tennis star Novak Djokovic will not compete at the US Open this year.
Just before the draw for the last Grand Slam tournament of the season, the 35-year-old Serb’s name was suddenly missing from the list of players published on the tournament homepage. A little later, Djokovic confirmed via Twitter that he will not play in the tournament.
“Unfortunately I am not able to travel to New York for this US Open,” the Serb wrote. He thanked his supporters for messages of love and support. “Good luck to my fellow players! I will stay in good shape and good mood and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon, tennis world!” proclaimed Djokovic.
The event at Flushing Meadows will thus take place without the three-time winner and last year’s finalist from 29 August. Djokovic’s absence comes as no surprise as the US requires proof of vaccination for foreign citizens to enter the country and the 21-time Grand Slam tournament winner categorically refuses to be vaccinated against the corona virus. “I’m not vaccinated and I don’t plan to get vaccinated,” Djokovic had stressed after his Wimbledon triumph in July.
No exemption again
This stance means Djokovic will now miss his second Grand Slam tournament this year, after he was forced to leave the country before his first serve at the Australian Open in January following a farce over his entry that also kept the courts busy.
Until last, Djokovic had hoped for an exemption at the US Open. He was preparing “as if I had permission to play”, Djokovic, who has not competed in a tournament since Wimbledon, had tweeted at the end of July.
The organisers of the US Open would have welcomed a start by the exceptional player, but they also emphasised that they would respect the entry regulations of the USA regarding the corona virus. With a few exceptions, vaccination is still a prerequisite for travelling to the country. This has not changed even shortly before the US Open.
