21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is hanging on to the slim hope of making it into this year’s US Open. The last annual grand slam event is set to begin on the 29th. Djokovic, whose name appeared on the entry list this week, can currently not enter the US due to being unvaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated their COVID guidelines on August 11th. CDC’s website is still under review to reflect the recent changes. The guidelines have loosened the restrictions for unvaccinated Americans and other people affected by COVID. It, however, has no effect on people traveling from other countries to the USA.
Thus, non-residents will have to be fully vaccinated to enter the nation. Novak Djokovic has no intention of getting the vaccine to play the US Open and is not allowed entry. With just five days to go until the US Open, it is unlikely that any changes will be made.
Novak has already missed several ATP Masters 1000 events that took place in the USA. He wasn’t allowed to participate in Indian Wells and Miami during March and April. As of now, Canada, another nation that isn’t allowing unvaccinated to enter the nation, did not allow Novak to participate in the Montreal Masters 1000 that took place in July.
Djokovic could not participate in Cincinnati Masters 1000 this month. All of these events required Novak to be vaccinated to enter, which he refused. In January, he was deported from Australia as the Minister for Immigration canceled his visa on grounds of health and good order.
Will Novak Djokovic play at the US Open?
As it stands, no. He is not allowed to travel into the nation, and his name appearing on the entry list means nothing to him or anyone else. Until and unless the CDC changes its guidelines for unvaccinated non-residents and the US changes its border laws, Novak Djokovic won’t be allowed to participate in the US Open.
Novak was allowed to participate in French Open and Wimbledon. The USA and Canada thus remain the only nations that have not updated their policies.
Novak gave an interview to BBC’s Amol Rajan in February where he said that “the principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title or anything else.” He has, however, made it clear that he is not against the vaccine. He was keeping an open mind about being vaccinated in the future.
It should be remembered that the USA allowed Novak Djokovic to enter and compete at the Open in 2020 and 2021 at the height of the pandemic. Thus, being rigid in its policy for unvaccinated non-residents in 2022 does not make sense.
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Novak Djokovic however remains hopeful and can still play at the US Open. His team and fans anxiously wait for updates as the time to get in time for competing runs out.
Read More: Novak Djokovic has clarified that he will be unable to travel to New York for the US Open
