Djokovic Expresses Desire To Compete at US Open
ATP
Novak Djokovic would want to compete at the US Open this year, even though he is currently still unable to enter the United States.
Djokovic has been unable to enter some countries since the COVID-19 pandemic started. He chose not to get vaccinated against the virus, and since some countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States required foreign individuals to be vaccinated to enter, the Serbian player couldn't compete in tournaments in those countries.
That meant he had to miss out on some Grand Slams and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, but this year, he might finally be able to play at the US Open.
Djokovic lost his World No. 1 rank in the process, and he naturally expressed his desire to compete at the US Open during a recent interview with CNN.
"And it is the current state or current situation that I hope will change for later this year for the US Open. That is the most important tournament for me on the American soil."
"I really want to be playing there, want to be there. I actually had in 2021 when I lost in the finals against (Daniil) Medvedev, probably one of the best moments I ever had with the New York crowd. And I’ve been fortunate to win that tournament three times, play many finals."
"And even though I lost that match, I received a lot of love and appreciation from people and I want to go back and I want to reconnect with the crowd there. So that’s something I’m looking forward to and hopefully it will happen."
Djokovic has good memories of the US Open, even though it was a place where he missed out on completing a Calendar Slam in 2021. However, the New York Slam is still relatively far away, and at the moment, the Serbian player is preparing for the French Open, where he will challenge Rafael Nadal for the 23rd Grand Slam title.
