US Open ‘very hopeful’ unvaccinated Novak Djokovic can engage in

(AP) – Right after Novak Djokovic withdrew from tournaments in Florida and California mainly because he continue to simply cannot travel to the United States as a foreign citizen who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, a U.S. Tennis Affiliation spokesman explained Saturday the team is “very hopeful” the leading-rated participant will be permitted into the state for the U.S. Open up in August.

“Policies relating to obtain to the United States are decided by the White Dwelling. We are incredibly hopeful that the policy preventing Novak Djokovic from entering the United States will be rescinded, or lapse, in the close to upcoming,” the USTA’s Chris Widmaier wrote to The Affiliated Press. “No COVID-19 limits are in position at the U.S. Open for any player, lover or other attendee. Novak, one particular of our sport’s excellent champions, would be welcome to contend at the 2023 U.S. Open.”

The two-week U.S. Open commences in Flushing Meadows on Aug. 28.

Djokovic, a 35-calendar year-outdated from Serbia, was unable to get to New York for the season’s last Grand Slam match in 2022, when he also skipped the Miami Open and BNP Paribas Open up for the reason that he never ever received the shots for the sickness prompted by the coronavirus.

A 6-time Miami Open up winner, Djokovic is out of the discipline for the occasion that begins next 7 days, a spokesman for the Miami Open up stated Saturday.

Djokovic is No. 1 in the ATP rankings and is tied with Rafael Nadal — who is hurt and also will not be in Miami — at 22 Grand Slam titles, the document for most gained by a gentleman. In 2023, Djokovic is 15-1 with two titles, like at the Australian Open up in January.

But he will now have skipped the initially two Masters 1000 events of the period. He also pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, which finishes this weekend.

Again in in April 2020, as the pandemic raged, Djokovic claimed he was opposed to needing to be vaccinated to travel. He later on mentioned he would not get inoculated even if it intended missing tournaments.

In January 2022, he tried out to get an exemption to contend at the Australian Open up and traveled to Melbourne. But immediately after his situation went to courtroom, his visa was revoked and Djokovic was deported from the region.

Pandemic limits have been eased in Australia given that, and Djokovic returned this yr without having a challenge and received the season’s initially key championship.

In the meantime, Nadal has been sidelined given that hurting his left hip flexor through a next-spherical decline at Melbourne Park. He is aiming to return to action at the Monte Carlo Masters up coming month.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sporting activities

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