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Current rules require travellers to show proof of full
vaccination to board flights to and enter the United States.
"Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US
Open," Djokovic wrote on Twitter. "Good luck to my fellow
players! I'll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait
for an opportunity to compete again."
The Serbian previously said he was prepared to miss Grand Slam
tournaments that require participating players to be vaccinated
against COVID-19.
Djokovic was on the entry list for the Aug. 29-Sept. 11
tournament in New York.
The 35-year-old was also unable to defend his Australian Open
crown this year after being deported from the country over his
vaccination status.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) described Djokovic's
absence as "unfortunate" but looked forward to having him back
at Flushing Meadows next year.
"Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he
will be unable to compete at the 2022 US Open, as he is unable
to enter the country due to the federal government's vaccination
policy for non-U.S. citizens," said U.S. Open tournament
director Stacey Allaster in a statement.
"We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open."
Many had hoped to see Djokovic on the Flushing Meadows hard
courts where he has hoisted the trophy three times and reached
the final on six other occasions.
The hashtag #LetNovakPlay has been circulating on social media
as Djokovic's fans voiced their support for a player who moved
to within one of Spaniard Rafa Nadal's record of 22 Grand Slam
titles after his Wimbledon triumph last month.
Fans had also been circulating an online petition in the hope of
gaining Djokovic entry into the U.S. while four-times U.S. Open
winner John McEnroe had said it would be "a joke" if the Serb
was unable to compete due to his COVID vaccination status.
Others, including players, have taken the position that rules
are rules and if you want to play you need to follow the
guidelines.
"I think that it is obviously his decision to not be vaccinated
but it is also the decisions of countries to require vaccines or
not require vaccines," 2017 U.S. Open finalist Madison Keys told
Reuters at the WTA's Her Health Advantage Media Event.
"I don’t feel comfortable saying I don’t think vaccines should
be required or I do.
"I think it’s just purely a (situation of) this is the
requirement, you can either do it or you can’t do it.
"If you don’t do it, you can’t come."
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, additional reporting
Steve Keating in Toronto, Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by
Catherine Evans, Toby Davis and Ed Osmond)
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