Djokovic withdraws from US Open due to refusal to vaccinate

Serb Novak Djokovic announced on Thursday that he will stop participating in the next US Tennis Open because he was unable to enter the country because he failed to meet the coronavirus vaccination requirement.

“Unfortunately I can’t travel to New York this time for the US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. Good luck to the other players! Staying in good shape and positive mood and looking forward to an opportunity to to compete again. See you soon in the world of tennis!” he wrote on his Twitter account.

Djokovic, a three-time champion in New York and last year’s finalist, was unable to play the 2022 US tour, both at the opening and at the end of the season, due to his refusal to be vaccinated.

The Serb, winner of 21 ‘majors’, was also unable to play the last Australian Open for the same reason.

US regulations currently require non-US citizens and non-residents to present a vaccination certificate when passing through immigration control, and Djokovic waited until the last minute in hopes the government would change these restrictions.

However, a few hours before the draw for the main draw, the Serb formalized his resignation from his second ‘big’ of the season. This year he could only participate in Roland Garros and Wimbledon, of which he became champion.

“Novak is a great champion and it is a pity that he cannot participate in the US Open as he cannot enter the country due to the government vaccination requirement for non-citizens. We cannot wait to receive Novak at the U.S. Open.” of 2023,” Stacey Allaster, director of the tournament, assured in a statement from the organization.

Last Monday, the United States Open released a poster promoting the eight-star start of the tournament, with Spaniards Rafa Nada and Carlos Alcaraz, but without Djokovic, a sign that the tournament itself was not confident in his potential commitment.

The Serb was unable to participate in the Australian Open this year and has not taken part in the US tour, both at the start of the campaign in Indian Wells and Miami, and this summer in Washington, Montreal and Cincinnati.

The US Open does not require players to provide vaccination certificates, but emphasized that it will respect the decisions of the country’s government.

The next US Open will be held from August 29 to September 11, with Russian Daniil Medvedev, current champion, as world number one.

Source: El heraldo

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