Novak Djokovic is hoping he can play at the US Open despite strict entry requirements for the unvaccinated, but the Serbian star won’t risk a repeat of the Australian Open’s deportation furore by traveling to New York without a permit
- The unvaccinated Novak Djokovic will not play at the US Open next month as things stand
- The United States only allows unvaccinated citizens to enter the country
- Djokovic hopes to play in New York but won’t travel there without a permit
- He was flown out of Australia in January after breaking strict Covid rules
- The Serb has just won his 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon – a record
Novak Djokovic hopes to compete in the US Open next month but doesn’t risk a repeat of the deportation frenzy he endured in Australia.
The unvaccinated tennis star was previously booted out of Australia Melbourne Slam returned in January after the government ruled he had severely broken Covid-19 regulations and he failed with a legal challenge.
And Djokovic, who just won his 21st career Slam Wimbledonrisks a replay ahead of Flushing Meadows as the United States blocks unvaccinated non-citizens from entering the country.
Novak Djokovic, who won Wimbledon last week, is hoping to play at the US Open
The unvaccinated tennis player was expelled from Australia ahead of the slam there in January
Opening a tennis complex in the Bosnian town of Visoko, Djokovic said: “I will not go to America unless I have permission, so the Australian saga was not comfortable for me at all.
“People still think I fought my way to Australia and tried to enter without papers, permits or exemptions – that’s not true.
“It was proven in the court cases, so I would never go to a country where I didn’t have permission to travel.
“I would like to return to Australia. I love Australia, I had my best Grand Slam results in this country.
“Hopefully I can be there in January because I want to be there and I want to be in New York too.
“I want to be in America and anywhere I can play.”
Djokovic said he hopes to play the US Open in New York but is not guaranteed
He spoke when he opened a regional tennis center in the Bosnian town of Visoko
Australian rules bar deportees from returning to the country for three years, threatening his future participation in a Slam he has won nine times.
But there was one A glimmer of hope that his ban could be lifted because the new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a big tennis fan.
Djokovic, 35, gave no indication that he intends to reverse his anti-vax position to play in New York.
“I’m a professional tennis player, I don’t go into politics or anything else because I don’t care,” he said.
Djokovic could see his three-year travel ban from Australia lifted before next year
The Serbian star’s visa was canceled in January 2022, preventing him from attending
“I have my stance and I am a proponent of freedom to choose what is best for you. I respect everything and everyone, and I expect people to at least respect my decision.
“If I have permission, I’ll be there. If I don’t, I won’t be there – it’s not the end of the world.”
Djokovic beat Nick Kyrgios in four sets last Sunday, winning Wimbledon for the seventh time and moving within one of Rafael Nadal’s record 22 Slam titles.
He received one Hero welcome from thousands of fans in front of the City Hall in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, upon his return on Monday with his latest achievement, which will be celebrated with a concert and fireworks.
