Will Novak Djokovic play in US Open 2022? Latest news on tennis star’s place in Flushing Meadows draw

Abraham Smith

Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon for the seventh time in July when he defeated Nick Kyrgios in the final to claim his 21st major singles title.

However, his win at the All England Club could prove to be his only success at a Major in 2022.

Djokovic was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open in January after authorities revoked his visa due to his COVID-19 vaccination status. Being fully vaccinated was mandatory for players wishing to attend the Melbourne event.

Djokovic, who confirmed after the Wimbledon final that he had no plans to get the coronavirus vaccine, could compete at the French Open – where he lost to Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals – and Wimbledon, but the United States’ strict policy of only The entry of fully vaccinated non-citizens has long cast doubt on his participation in the US Open.

Will Novak Djokovic play at the US Open 2022?

On August 25, Djokovic announced that he would not be playing at the 2022 US Open.

The three-time Flushing Meadows champion issued a statement via his official Twitter account, saying: “Unfortunately, this time I’m unable to travel to the US Open in NY. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support.

“Good luck to my teammates! I will stay in good shape and positive mood and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon, tennis world!”

Tournament organizers later confirmed that Djokovic had withdrawn from the event and that a lucky loser would take his place in the main draw as qualifying had already started.

However, it has been suggested that Djokovic, who is barred from entering the country under current COVID-19 guidelines, could play at the 2023 event.

US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster said: “Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will not be able to compete at the 2022 US Open due to the federal government’s vaccination policy for non-US citizens. We look forward to welcoming Novak back to the US Open in 2023.”

The decision came despite a petition being started to grant Djokovic an exception and allow him to play in the tournament.

Earlier this week, tennis legend John McEnroe slammed the decision to ban Djokovic from participating as a “joke”.

“I don’t think it’s fair. I think it’s a joke,” he told Eurosport. “I would have got the vaccine and gone and played but he has very strong beliefs and you have to respect that.

“At this point, in the pandemic, we’re two and a half years old, I think people in all parts of the world know about it and the idea that he can’t travel here to play, to me, it’s a joke.”

MORE: Novak Djokovic net worth: Career win, prize money for reigning Wimbledon champion

Novak Djokovic Grand Slam title

Missing out on the US Open means Djokovic cannot equal Rafael Nadal in the all-time list of men’s singles Grand Slam champions.

His Wimbledon triumph brought Djokovic 21 major singles titles, one behind arch-rivals Nadal and one ahead of Roger Federer, who did not play in 2022.

Nadal will have an opportunity to rise to 23 titles in New York and Djokovic will likely have to wait until the 2023 French Open before adding to his own tally.

Most Grand Slam singles titles (men)

title overall player Australian Open French Open Wimbledon US Open
22 Rafael Nadal 2 14 2 4
21 Novak Djokovic 9 2 7 3
20 Roger Federer 6 1 8th 5
14 Peter Sampras 2 0 7 5
12 Roy* Emerson 6 2 2 2
11 Rod Laver** 3 2 4 2
11 Bjorn Borg 0 6 5 0
10 Bill Tilden* 0 0 3 7

*All titles were won in the amateur era

**Six of Laver’s titles were won in the amateur era

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