"Maybe there is a political logic behind it but not medical" - Djokovic on not being able to play US Open

| by Alfredo Bassanelli

At Wimbledon in 2022, Novak Djokovic overcame Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round as he will attempt to win the season's first Grand Slam title in the All England Club.

As it currently appears that he would not be able to enter the United States and Australia, Novak Djokovic may have to wait up to 11 months before playing another Grand Slam tournament. If nothing changes, his next Grand Slam tournament will be Roland Garros, followed by Wimbledon the following year. And when he addressed the matter, the seasoned Serbian was hoping just for some things to change.

“No unvaccinated people can enter the USA as of this moment. I did hear unofficially that some people got away with it, some people who are not ‘famous’, but I would never even try to go to the USA if it is not allowed."

Novak Djokovic
"I'm hoping some things can change" - Djokovic on his US Open participation
"I'm hoping some things can change" - Djokovic on his US Open participation

“Some people think that I made that mistake in Australia, but it was the contrary in fact – I had the exemption etc, let’s not go over the same story again. Bottom line is: if I am told that I cannot go, I won’t go, I would never put myself in such a position. Even if I get in, they would see me on TV playing tennis and pick me up!”

Novak Djokovic

"I have been texting with Tennys Sandgren a few days ago. I wanted to thank him for the public support he has given me in this situation. What he said makes total sense – if unvaccinated players are not allowed to compete at the US Open, then it should be the case for everyone. I don’t see the medical logic behind it, that Tennys can play because he is a citizen of the USA, and I cannot."

Novak Djokovic

“If I had a US passport or a green card, I would be able to play. Maybe there is a political logic behind it – not medical – but I would rather not get into that and you can understand why. Grand Slams are tournaments that are my priority at this stage of my career and of course I want to play in New York. On the other hand, if I do not get a chance to do so, it is not the end of the world, we will look ahead. But right now, I am completely focused on Wimbledon.”

Novak Djokovic
"I can play but he can't" - Sandgren on Djokovic not playing US Open
"I can play but he can't" - Sandgren on Djokovic not playing US Open

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