Novak Djokovic ‘preparing as if he will be allowed to play US Open’
Novak Djokovic says that he is preparing as though he will be allowed to play the US Open in New York at the end of August.
Time is running out for Djokovic to receive a concession to enter the United States without being vaccinated.
The entry rules are the only barrier to Djokovic taking part in the US Open with the tournament itself not requiring players to be vaccinated to enter.
Pressure has been mounting on US president Joe Biden to grant such an exemption but the decision is fraught with potential political fallout.
It seems much more likely that the US government will hold their current line and as a result Djokovic will miss the final major of the year.
Having taken some time off after winning Wimbledon which was filled with some holidaying and other commitments that you would expect as his nation’s most prominent sportsman.
He has now returned to practise and hopes to be in good shape to compete if he is allowed to enter the United States.
“I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US,” Djokovic said in a post on Instagram.
“Fingers crossed!”
Meanwhile, an online petition calling for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to work with the US government to allow Djokovic to compete in the US Open has garnered 43,000 signatures to date.
Djokovic played all four Grand Slam finals in 2021 but had his visa revoked on entry to Australia ahead of his defence in Melbourne and has endured a disrupted season as he wasn’t able to enter the United States for the Sunshine Double.
He looked great at the French Open until being knocked out in the last eight by eventual champion Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic returned to winning ways at Wimbledon, but his victory was bittersweet as the tournament was stripped of rankings points following a ban on Russian and Belarussian players.
He stands to lose more points if he cannot take part in the US Open and might slide out of the top 20 before the end of the year.
Latest
-
-
WTA TourSimona Halep to return to top ten after reaching Toronto final
Simona Halep and Beatriz Haddad Maia will battle it out for the Toronto Masters title.
-
ATP TourDan Evans battles bravely but Pablo Carreno Busta sets Hubert Hurkacz showdown
The British number two was eventually outlasted 7-5 6-7 6-2 across two hours and 58 minutes.
-
ATP TourAndy Murray gets Cinccinati boost, but handed tricky opener against old foe with Cameron Norrie also lurking
Andy Murray handed tough assignment in Cincinnati.
-
ATP TourDan Evans vs Pablo Carreno Busta: How to watch Montreal semis as Evans looks to sneak into ATP top 20
A quick lowdown on the Canadian Masters semi-final and possible ATP Ranking changes.
-
ATP TourRafael Nadal ‘happy to be in Cincy’ as he finds out his path to possible glory at ATP Masters 1000 event
Rafael Nadal good to go in Cincinnati.
-
ATP TourNick Kyrgios ‘doesn’t care’ about records as he admits parents’ illness and fatigue are weighing him down
Nick Kyrgios not concerned about his winning streak coming to an end as he is more worried about his parents.
-
ATP TourATP Cincy draw: Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios could meet again, Dan Evans in line to face Stefanos Tsitsipas
This way for the draw of the 2022 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
-
WTA TourSimona Halep ‘stays strong mentally’ to hold off ‘super nice and future Grand Slam champion’ Coco Gauff
Simona Halep overcomes edgy second set to beat Coco Gauff.
-
WTA TourWTA Cincinnati draw: Emma Raducanu to face Serena Williams in dream opening match
The Cincy draw has dished up a big one: Emma Raducanu vs Serena Williams