Current US regulations demand travellers to present proof of complete immunisation on board planes before entering the country.
With great regret, I will be unable to go to New York this time to play in the US Open, Djokovic announced on Twitter. I wish my teammates the best of luck. According to Reuters, “I will attempt to stay healthy and optimistic while waiting for the opportunity to return to competition.”
Earlier, the Serbian star stated that he is prepared to leave important events that require competitors to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Djokovic, 35, was named to the event, which will take place in New York from August 29 to September 11.
Djokovic was unable to defend his Australian Open title this year after being barred from entering the country in January due to his position on coronavirus vaccination.
The US Tennis Association expressed regret over Djokovic’s absence and expressed hope that the Serbian player would return to Flushing Meadows next year.
Novak is a tremendous champion, and it is really regrettable that he will be unable to play in the US Open 2022 owing to the government’s vaccine policy, according to US Open director Stacey Alastair.
Many had anticipated to see Djokovic on the Flushing Meadows hard courts, where he won the title three times and reached the final six times.
Earlier, veteran US tennis player and four-time US Open winner John McEnroe warned reporters that Djokovic’s withdrawal from the season’s last Grand Slam due to his position on Covid-19 immunisation would be a farce.
Personally, I would have taken the vaccination before competing, but Djokovic has strong feelings about it, and we must respect them, according to McEnroe. At this stage in the epidemic, two and a half years later, I believe people all across the world have a better understanding of the pandemic and the concept that he cannot. It would be absurd to travel here to play.
Other participants, on the other hand, emphasised the importance of adhering to the regulations.
I appreciate his personal decision not to be vaccinated, but countries have the right to apply their own standards, according to Madison Keys, the 2017 US Open runner-up.
Djokovic will miss the US Open owing to the Covid vaccination.
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