Novak Djokovic withdraws from the US Open. He is unvaccinated against Covid-19 and not allowed to receive a visa and enter the country, just a few days after the tennis champion said he hoped he might be able to play in the tournament, which starts in a few days.
“The tournament itself, we do not know about the safety conditions. I asked them about that. They said that everything is normal for the tournament,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic is the only Grand Slam-level player among the 12 tennis stars due to compete at Flushing Meadows, about 30 miles north of Queens in New York.
“I’d like to tell you if I’m available after I finish the US Open, and go home and play the rest of the tournament,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic, 34, said he would not be tested for the coronavirus unless he becomes unwell. He said he had no reason to believe he was vulnerable to coronavirus.
“I think I’m the least susceptible. Maybe next to Djokovic, I have the most confidence to fight the virus,” he said.
As for his health, he said he felt good after his return from his two-week break over the holidays, and was excited at what the tennis community at Flushing Meadows would be like, despite its physical proximity to Corona-ravaged New York City.