Djokovic has stated that he will not receive the coronavirus vaccination, even if it prevents him from competing in certain tournaments.
Novak Djokovic withdrew from next week’s hard-court tournament in Cincinnati on Friday due to his inability to travel to the United States due to his lack of COVID-19 vaccination.
This is also why Djokovic is not expected to participate in the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, which begins on August 29 in New York.
Djokovic is a 35-year-old Serbian tennis player who has won 21 major titles, one less than Rafael Nadal. Djokovic has stated that he will not receive the coronavirus vaccination, even if it prevents him from competing in certain tournaments. After being deported from Australia in January, he was forced to miss the Australian Open, as well as two events in the United States earlier this year and a tournament in Montreal this week.
Currently, unvaccinated foreigners cannot enter Canada or the United States; the press release announcing Djokovic’s withdrawal from the Cincinnati tournament cited “travel restrictions.”
Djokovic stated that he was still hopeful of competing in the U.S. Open; however, this would require a change in government policy, which the U.S. Tennis Association says it will adhere to.
Djokovic is a three-time US Open champion and finished second to Daniil Medvedev last year.
Other men who have drawn down from the Cincinnati tournament include defending champion Alexander Zverev, who tore ankle ligaments at the French Open in June, as well as injured players Gael Monfils, Reilly Opelka, Oscar Otte, and Dominic Thiem.
Due to a neck injury, Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins withdrew from the women’s draw, while three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber changed her schedule and decided not to compete in Cincinnati.