Because of his refusal to vaccinate, tennis star Novak Djokovic will not be at the tournament this year US Open start. He had hoped for an exception.
Just before the draw for the last one Grand Slam-Tournament of the season this Thursday (08/25/2022), the name of the 35-year-old Serb was suddenly missing from the list of players published on the tournament homepage.
The event in Flushing Meadows will therefore take place from Monday without the three-time winner and last year’s finalist.
“Wait for the next opportunity”
“Unfortunately, I am unable to travel to New York”, the Serb wrote on Twitter on Thursday. The 35-year-old did not give any reasons, but a vaccination is required to enter the USA.
There are only a few exceptions to the vaccination requirement. “I will continue to stay in good shape and keep my positive spirit”Djokovic continued: “And I’m waiting for the next opportunity to compete again. See you soon, tennis world.”
“Don’t plan on getting vaccinated”
Djokovic’s absence comes as no surprise as the United States requires foreign citizens to provide proof of vaccination and the 21-time Grand Slam tournament winner has categorically refused vaccination against the coronavirus.
“I am not vaccinated and I do not plan to be vaccinated”Djokovic emphasized after his Wimbledon triumph in July.
Again no exemption
Because of this attitude, Djokovic is already missing the second Grand Slam tournament this year after winning at the Australian Open in January after a posse about his entry, which also occupied the courts, had to leave the country before the first serve.
Until recently, Djokovic had hoped for an exception at the US Open. He prepares himself “as if I had permission to play along”Djokovic, who has not competed in a tournament since Wimbledon, tweeted at the end of July.
Vaccination still a requirement for entry
The organizers of the US Open would have welcomed the start of the exceptional talent, but they also emphasized that they respect the USA’s entry regulations regarding the corona virus. With a few exceptions, vaccination is still a prerequisite for traveling to the country. That didn’t change shortly before the US Open.