Tennis star Novak Djokovic was named on the US Open entry list - but the Serbian star needs a dramatic u-turn from the United States government if he is to compete at the final Grand Slam of the year.
Djokovic - who defeated Nick Kyrgios in the final to win Wimbledon and move within one major title of Rafael Nadal for the most men’s singles Grand Slam titles in history - will not be able to compete in the fourth and final major of the calendar year as the US requires travellers to be fully vaccinated. People also need to provide proof of vaccination before boarding flights.
The 35-year-old won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles last year, and missed out on the coveted Calendar Slam when he lost to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final. The Serb was unable to defend his Down Under crown in 2022 after he was sensationally deported from Australia over his vaccination status in January.
Organisers of the US Open confirmed they would not lobby for individual exemptions to Covid vaccine rules amid an online petition collecting 12,000 signatures urging tennis officials to work with the United States government to allow Djokovic to compete. All non-US citizens need to be fully vaccinated to enter the country.
The Wimbledon champion - who won his seventh SW19 crown earlier this month - is adamant he will not receive a jab. Back in February, Djokovic said that he was prepared to miss major tournaments and wish his legacy rather than be vaccinated.
Djokovic is automatically included in the official entry list in the hope Washington will change its coronavirus regulations due to his status and reputation as one of the greatest tennis players in history. A statement from the USTA said: “Per the Grand Slam Rule Book, all eligible players are automatically entered into the men's and women's singles main draw fields based on ranking 42 days prior to the first Monday of the event.
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“The US Open does not have a vaccination mandate in place for players, but it will respect the US government's position regarding travel into the country for unvaccinated non-US citizens.”
While Djokovic is unlikely to compete, Serena Williams was confirmed on the entry list, too. The 40-year-old icon has used a protected ranking of 16 to enter the Grand Slam - knowing she only has a limited number of times to use that privilege - and appears likely to compete.
However, her sister Venus will have to rely on a wild card or even qualifying. Williams recently announced a singles comeback at the Canadian Open and is eyeing a berth at the Flushing Meadows major.
British star Kyle Edmund returned to action recently after almost two years injured, and he will also used a protected ranking to compete. He has not played a singles match since a qualifying defeat at the Vienna Open in October 2020.
