By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, August 25, 2022
Novak Djokovic is officially out of the US Open marking the first time in his Grand Slam career he will miss two majors in the same season.
Photo credit: Garrett Ellwood/US Open/USTA
It's official: Novak Djokovic is out of the 2022 US Open.
As expected, the 21-time Grand Slam champion will not play the US Open, which begins on Monday in Flushing Meadows.
The unvaccinated Djokovic had hoped the U.S. government would ease restrictions prohibiting foreign travelers who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine from entering the country.
However, the tournament and Djokovic both announced his withdrawal ahead of this afternoon's draw.
The US Open announced Djokovic's withdrawal in this statement:
Novak Djokovic withdrew from the 2022 US Open prior to the draw taking place this morning. The official seeding list is not determined until the draw is made. As the Qualifying Tournament has commenced, his withdrawal resulted in a Lucky Loser being included in the draw.
"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," US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster said. "We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open."
The seven-time year-end world No. 1 issued a statement on social media saying "Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for the US Open."
The 35-year-old Serbian is scheduled to represent his country in Davis Cup next month and play Laver Cup at London's O2 Arena alongside fellow Big 4 icons Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
The US Open signaled the Serbian's impending absence when it issued the official 2022 US Open poster and Djokovic was glaringly absent from the image, which shows several stars gazing to the US Open light above the New York City skyline in a nod to Batman and Gotham City.
It marks the first time since 2017 Djokovic will miss the Flushing Meadows major.
It's the first time since Djokovic began his Grand Slam career in 2005 that the three-time US Open champion will miss two majors in a single season.
The nine-time Australian Open champion was booted from Australia in January after entering the country unvaccinated.
What a difference a year makes.
A year ago, Djokovic arrived in New York City aiming to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar Grand Slam. He nearly pulled it off reaching the US Open final for the ninth time before bowing to Daniil Medvedev. Up until his withdrawal, Djokovic was still the betting favorite for Flushing Meadows according to oddschecker.com.
Reigning Australian Open and Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal will play for a men's record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title in New York City as he aims to extend his lead in the men's major race.
Hall of Famer John McEnroe said while he does not agree with Djokovic's position not taking the vaccine, he believes "it's a joke" that fans can be unvaccinated to attend the Open, but an unvaccinated Djokovic cannot play the US Open. In a Zoom call with the media to promote ESPN's US Open coverage, which starts on Monday on ESPN2, McEnroe said he sees repercussions in the major race.
"It would be better if Novak was there, obviously," McEnroe said. "So, the biggest thing for him is his personal risk that he's risking. Rafa, if he were to win this he would be two ahead, that it would be tougher to separate himself in terms of the overall Grand Slam wins.
"And [Novak has] talked about wanting to be at the top of the heap and the greatest ever, which I respect, that he has the guts to say that. His stance has risked that, getting thrown out of Australia where he won eight or nine times, that's one he obviously could have won, as well as the French, he wasn't ready. I think the ramifications of what happened hurt him against Nadal. I think he got tired, either mentally or physically. I'm not saying he definitely would have won but he could have won. If he won that match he would have won the whole thing in my book."