Novak Djokovic’s US Open hopes are hit after the tournament vows to respect US government policy on Covid-19 vaccines | Tennis News
Novak Djokovic is not allowed to enter the US due to his vaccination status
Novak Djokovic’s hopes of playing in the US Open were dealt another blow after the tournament said it would respect US government regulations on a Covid-19 vaccine.
The 35-year-old – three-time champion at Flushing Meadows – was named to the final Grand Slam roster of the year on Wednesday, but that is custom, not an indication that he will be allowed. competition.
He has been listed in the field for the final Grand Slam of the year alongside British pair Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, who are hoping to defend the title she won last year.
Six-time winner Serena Williams will also hit the field in hopes of equaling Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles at the age of 40.
Djokovic, who will aim to join Rafael Nadal at the top of the all-time men’s list at 22nd with a win in New York is unlikely to compete, despite having previously spoken about him. hope for a regret.
The United States requires non-citizens to be fully vaccinated against the new coronavirus to enter, meaning Djokovic, who has repeatedly made clear that he will not be vaccinated, will not be allowed to enter.
A statement from the US Open, which has no separate immunization rules, read: “According to the Grand Slam Rule Book, all eligible tennis players are automatically entered into the men’s singles main draw fields. and women’s singles based on ratings 42 days before the first Monday of the event.
“The US Open has no mandatory vaccination requirements for players, but it will respect the US government’s position on domestic travel for unvaccinated non-US citizens. .”
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Novak Djokovic admits he was disappointed when he was kicked out of the Australian Open for refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccine
Djokovic’s stance cost him the chance to compete at the Australian Open earlier this year and it looks like he’ll do it again.
While Djokovic is unlikely to be in New York, another former champion will be present after Williams is on the list.
Williams, a six-time winner, signaled his intention to compete in his hometown Grand Slam after signing up to play much of the US hard court swings, including events in Toronto and Cincinnati.
Kyle Edmund of Great Britain is also set to take part in his first singles event at a major tournament in two years.
The 27-year-old’s career was derailed by a knee injury but he returned at Wimbledon, playing in mixed doubles.
And he used his protected rank of 48 to ensure that, pending health, he would be included in the main draw.
Ask Djokovic to play
Nearly 12,000 people have now signed an online petition calling on the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to work with the country’s government to allow Djokovic to compete in the US Open despite his refusal to take the vaccine. Covid-19.
“There is absolutely no reason at this stage of the pandemic to not allow Djokovic to compete at the US Open 2022,” the change.org petition, launched on June 21, said.
“The US Government(s) and the USTA must work together to allow him to play… PLEASE DO IT, USTA!”
Djokovic claims seventh Wimbledon title and 21st Grand Slam success
The Serb, who held the Wimbledon crown with a win over Australia’s Nick Kyrgios earlier this month, in February said he was more prepared to miss the Grand Slams than get a Covid-19 vaccine.
The main draw at the US Open begins on August 29.
Williams, Raducanu named in starry field for Cincinnati Open
Ahead of the US Open, Williams will attend the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati next month with her protected rank, organizers of the US Open tuning tournament said Tuesday.
She will join Raducanu, who will use the event to prepare for her Grand Slam crown defense at Flushing Meadows, where she won her first major title last year.
Serena Williams in action earlier this year
Williams, who returned to the Tour after a year out last month, fell in the first round at Wimbledon but showed she was still not ready to hang up despite being two months away from her 41st birthday.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion will also compete at the National Bank Open in Toronto from August 6-14 after she chose to use her protected ranking to enter the main draw.
Williams, the oldest player in the men’s and women’s events this year, won the tournament in Cincinnati twice during her career in 2014 and 2015 while she was runner-up in 2013.
The tournament from August 13-21 will feature the world’s No. 1 players in both men’s and women’s events – Daniil Medvedev and Iga Swiatek.
Former female champions in the field include Victoria Azarenka, Madison Keys, Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova.
Emma Raducanu celebrates a point at the Australian Open
Other Grand slam champions in the women’s draw include Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Bianca Andreescu, Jelena Ostapenko, Barbora Krejcikova, Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitova and newly crowned Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have won 43 major tournaments between them, will top the men’s field, including former champions Alexander Zverev – who missed Wimbledon through injury – Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic .
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