Djokovic pulls out of the US Open Tuneup Cincinnati

CINCINNATI–Novak Djokovic pulled out of next week’s hard-court tournament in Cincinnati on Friday because he has not gotten any COVID-19 vaccine shots and so is not allowed to travel to the United States.

This is why Djokovic will not be allowed to play in the U.S. Open. It is the last Grand Slam event of the year and begins in New York, Aug. 29.

Djokovic is a 35-year-old from Serbia who owns 21 major championships, one behind Rafael Nadal for the men’s record.

Djokovic said that he will not be vaccinated for the coronavirus even though it may prevent him from participating in some tournaments.

He was deported from Australia in January and missed the Australian Open. He also had to miss two US events earlier in the year as well as a tournament this week in Montreal.

Unvaccinated foreign citizens can’t go to Canada or the U.S. currently; the Cincinnati tournament’s news release announcing Djokovic’s withdrawal cited “travel restrictions.”

Djokovic said that he still believed he would be able to play in the U.S. Open. However, this would need a change in government policy which, according to the U.S. Tennis Association, it will follow.

Djokovic has been a U.S. Open champion three times and was runner-up to Daniil Medvedev last year.

Also, defending champion Alexander Zverev, the 2020 U.S. Open runner up, tore his ankle ligaments in the French Open in June, and injured players GaelMonfils, Reilly Opelkas, Oscar Otte, Dominic Thiem, were among those who had withdrawn from Cincinnati’s field.

Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins was forced to withdraw from the women’s draw due to a neck injury. Angelique Kerber, three-time major champion, made a scheduling adjustment and decided not compete in Cincinnati.

Serena Williams has been entered into the field in what will be her final appearance on tour.