Not being vaccinated of Covid-19, three-time champion Novak Djokovic is not allowed to travel to New York for the US Open. The Serbian confirmed on Thursday that he’s out of the tournament due to travel restrictions. He was also out of the Australian Open earlier this year for the same reason.
Non-citizens of the USA are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter the country. However, the tournament allows unvaccinated American players to participate as well as spectators not wearing masks.
The world no. 6 was hopeful last month about some flexibility that the country would consider allowing him for the US Open. The US Centers for Disease Control declared that the rule would remain strict.
Djokovic is determined not to take the vaccines, even if that prevents him from playing in certain tournaments. The US Tennis Association, organizer of the tournament, declared that they would strictly follow government rules about vaccination status.
Novak Djokovic is currently ranked 6th but he has spent the most number of weeks at No. 1 position in the ATP rankings history. The 35-year-old has 21 major championship trophies in his kit including three US Opens achieved in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
Among other players to miss the US Open for various reasons, No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev, 2016 champion Angelique Kerber and 2019 French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova are a few to mention.
