PARIS: Former men’s world No.
It’s the second Grand Slam the 35-year-old Serb will miss for not being vaccinated as he was deported ahead of the Australian Open earlier this year.
“Unfortunately I can’t travel to New York for the US Open this time,” tweeted Djokovic, a three-time US Open champion.
Djokovic’s much-anticipated announcement came hours before the draw for the final Slam of the season.
Tennis legend John McEnroe has branded Djokovic’s suspension a ‘joke’.
“At this point in the pandemic we’re two and a half years old, I think people in all parts of the world know more about this and the idea that he can’t travel here to play is a joke to me,” said McEnroe.
Ironically, at the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Djokovic was allowed to compete in New York, where he became champion in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
He hasn’t played since clinching his seventh Wimbledon title last month, a win that gave him 21 Grand Slam wins, one short of Rafael Nadal’s record 22.
Just last month, Djokovic said he was preparing to play at the US Open, where a traumatic defeat in last year’s final at the hands of Daniil Medvedev dashed his hopes of a four-major Grand Slam.
Djokovic signed his tweet saying he hopes to be back soon.
“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!”