Rafael Nadal regrets that Novak Djokovic is missing from the US Open. The Serbian tennis player refuses to be vaccinated against the corona virus and is therefore not allowed to enter the United States. Djokovic had long hoped that he would be welcome at the last grand slam tournament of the year. Just before Thursday’s draw, however, the 35-year-old Serb reported that he has to skip the US Open, just like the Australian Open at the beginning of this year.
“I think that’s a shame,” said Nadal, the men’s record holder with 22 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic follows with 21 titles. “It’s always annoying when the best players in the world can’t compete because of injury or some other reason. That’s a shame for the fans and a shame for the tournament. And I think a shame for the other players too, because we all want such a have a strong possible field of participants. Anyway, the world always keeps turning and tennis continues, even if Novak, Roger Federer and I will no longer participate.”
The 36-year-old Spaniard won the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year. Djokovic won Wimbledon. Nadal had to withdraw from the semi-final against Nick Kyrgios in London, because he suffered too much from an abdominal muscle injury. The Spaniard suffered a 7 millimeter tear in an abdominal muscle.
“I hope I’m ready for the US Open,” Nadal said in New York. He made his comeback in Cincinnati last week, but lost right there to Borna Coric. “It is a dangerous injury, the risk remains that I will get injured again. Especially with serving. I try not to force anything and do everything in the best possible way.”